Construction hours in Shelby County, TN — sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances — set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Shelby County Code Chapter 16, Article III sets no fixed construction-hours curfew for unincorporated Shelby County. Construction noise is governed by the general Sec. 16-61 ban on unreasonably loud, unnecessary noise, with a narrow exemption for nighttime public roadwork.
Unlike many cities, unincorporated Shelby County has no clock-based construction start/stop times in its code. Loud construction activity is judged under the Sec. 16-61 reasonableness standard and the Sec. 16-63 nighttime amplified-sound provision (11:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.). Sec. 16-66(2) expressly exempts night excavation or repair of bridges, streets or highways done by or for the city, county or state 'when the public welfare and convenience render it impossible or unreasonable to perform such work during the day.' Sec. 16-69 confirms legitimate business activity is not prohibited if it does not unreasonably interfere with surrounding areas. Cities such as Memphis and Germantown impose their own construction-hour limits.
Construction noise that is unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary violates Sec. 16-61 and is punishable under Sec. 16-67 by a fine up to $50.00 per violation, each day counting as a separate offense.
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