Washoe County, NV Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in Washoe County, NV, 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 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday
- Not exempt
- Section
- WCC 110.414.20(c)
- Work-hour ban?
- No hard ban countywide
- Applies to
- Unincorporated areas only
Summary
Washoe County does not restrict construction work hours, but temporary construction, repair or demolition noise is exempt from the Development Code's noise limits only when it occurs between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on any day except Sunday. Outside that window the noise standards apply.
The following sources of noise are exempt from the regulations of this article: ... Temporary construction, repair or demolition activities occurring between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on any day except Sunday.
Full Breakdown
Under Washoe County Development Code Section 110.414.20 (Exceptions), certain noise sources are exempt from Article 414's day-night sound-level (Ldn) limits. One exemption covers "temporary construction, repair or demolition activities occurring between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on any day except Sunday." The county has confirmed this is not a hard cap on when crews may work, but the hours during which construction noise is exempted from the county's decibel thresholds. Construction noise outside 7 a.m.-7 p.m., or on Sunday, is not exempt and must meet the Article 414 property-line limits. Reno and Sparks have their own construction-hour rules for city sites.
Violations & Fines
Non-exempt construction noise that exceeds the Ldn limits is a Development Code violation subject to code-enforcement action and abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can contractors work at any hour in Washoe County?
What about Sunday construction?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washoe County
How Washoe County compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·Compare Washoe County to another location·View the Nevada noise ordinances overview
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