Abilene, TX Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

2 of the Land Development Code sets Abilene's numeric noise standard: at no point on the bounding property line of any use may sound pressure exceed the decibel limits in Table 4-3 across eight octave bands, ranging from 86 decibels in the lowest frequency band (37 to 75 cps) down to 53 decibels in the highest band (4,800 to 9,600 cps), with a 65-decibel ceiling on the A-scale reading used for monitoring. The 'bounding property line' is defined as the near side of any street, alley, or dedicated open space between the source and the neighboring property, or the shared lot line where no such buffer exists.

The table only governs daytime hours, defined as sunrise to sunset; at night, 7 decibels must be subtracted from every limit, and another 7 decibels is subtracted if the noise carries strong pure tones or is impulsive, meaning the sound meter jumps 10 decibels or more per second. Conversely, brief noise gets more headroom: 10 decibels can be added to the limit if the noise lasts no more than half a minute in any 30-minute period, 5 minutes in any hour, 10 minutes in any two hours, or 20 minutes in any four hours.

Measurements must be taken with a sound level meter and octave band analyzer meeting American Standards Association specifications. The City's Environmental Health Section administers and enforces these performance standards, and the responsible official must give written notice by certified mail describing the violation and a deadline to abate it before further action, with an extension available if it will not create imminent danger to life, health, or property. Noises not under the property user's control, safety and emergency signals, moving vehicles like cars and airplanes, and nuisance noise from people, music, or pets (covered by separate city ordinances) are exempt from this table.