Nicholasville, KY Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Section 12-10(b)(2) of the Nicholasville Code of Ordinances prohibits operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling or demolition work between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., prevailing local time, such that the sound creates a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary. Exceptions are printed for emergency work of public service utilities and for prior approval from the City of Nicholasville. The section does not say which city office gives that approval.

Subsection (b)(3) adds a weekend clock for power tools. Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, lawn or gardening tool, lawnmower or other similar device used outdoors that creates a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary is prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and on Saturday or Sunday before 9:00 a.m., prevailing local time. Powered snow removal equipment is excluded. The emergency-utility and prior-approval exceptions are printed in (b)(2) only and are not repeated in (b)(3).

Two companion rules touch job sites. Subsection (b)(4) prohibits loading or unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, sod, garbage cans or similar objects between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in a manner that causes a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary. Subsection (b)(10) prohibits repairing, rebuilding, modifying, testing or operating any motor vehicle, motorcycle, motor bicycle or motorboat in a manner that causes noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary, with no hours stated.

Every restriction is tied to a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary, so the test is the sound reaching the neighboring dwelling, not the job itself. Section 12-10 carries the history notes Ord. No. 399-2002, 4-11-02 and Ord. No. 052-2021, 8-23-21.