Madison County, AL Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in Madison County, AL, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Key Facts
- Exempt hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Outside window
- General noise rules apply
- Exemption excludes
- Event venues, canine kennels
- Enforcer
- Madison County Sheriff
- Max fine
- $500 per offense
- Effective date
- January 31, 2024
Summary
Construction activity and construction equipment are exempt from Madison County's Noise Ordinance only between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; building outside that window forfeits the exemption and can be cited as unreasonably loud, disturbing noise. The carve-out never covers event venues playing live or recorded music, fireworks, or licensed dog kennels.
Noise associated with or resulting from operations of any commercial, industrial or agricultural activities or operations, including construction activities or operation of construction equipment if the construction activities or operation of construction equipment occurs between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. This does not apply to event venues that allow live or recorded music, fireworks or other activities that would otherwise be violative of this Ordinance. This exception also does not apply to commercial, non-profit or private canine kennels that create, permit or authorize noise that otherwise would violate this Ordinance.
Full Breakdown
m. The ordinance defines construction activities broadly as any activity incidental to constructing, erecting, demolishing, assembling, altering, installing or equipping buildings, structures, roads or appurtenances, including land clearing, grading, excavating and filling, and defines construction equipment to include pile drivers, power shovels, derricks, bulldozers, cranes, compressors and similar fuel- or electric-powered machinery. The same section expressly states the exemption does not extend to event venues that allow live or recorded music, fireworks or other activities that would otherwise violate the ordinance, and does not extend to commercial, non-profit or private canine kennels that create or authorize noise that would otherwise violate it.
A against unreasonably loud, disturbing noise applies in full. The Commission adopted the exemption under Act No. 2018-167, the 2018 constitutional amendment authorizing county noise regulation, with the current ordinance effective January 31, 2024. The Madison County Sheriff's Office investigates after-hours construction-noise complaints in the unincorporated county and can pursue criminal process against a contractor or property owner who runs equipment outside the exempt window.
Violations & Fines
Construction noise outside the 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. window loses its exemption and is prosecuted as a Class C misdemeanor under Section VII, punishable by a fine up to $500 per offense, up to three months in jail, or both, with each day charged separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours can contractors run heavy equipment in unincorporated Madison County?
Does the construction exemption cover a live band at an outdoor venue?
What if a contractor runs equipment at 10 p.m.?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison County
How Madison County compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·Compare Madison County to another location·View the Alabama noise ordinances overview
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