Caddo Parish, LA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Caddo Parish Code of Ordinances § 32-163, part of the parish's noise ordinance adopted by Ordinance No. 5072 in March 2011, bars anyone from operating a sound source that exceeds the background sound level by more than 5 dBA or the applicable limit in Table 1, whichever is greater, measured at or within a regulated receiver's property line under the measurement procedures in § 32-165. Table 1 sets six numeric ceilings by receiving property type and time of day: for a noise-sensitive receiver, 50 dBA from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 45 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; for a residential or designated protected receiver, 55 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime; and for any other receiver, 60 dBA at all hours.

The parish based those numbers on the World Health Organization's 1999 Guidelines for Community Noise combined with its own onsite measurements. Section 32-163 layers in three more numeric limits: a low-frequency limit barring 31.5 and 63 Hz octave-band sound from exceeding 65 dB(Flat) or the background level plus 5 dB(Flat); an impulsive-noise limit barring impulse sound from exceeding the background level by 15 dBA; and a pure-tone limit measured against the two adjacent one-third octave bands, ranging from 5 dB at 500 Hz and above up to 15 dB at or below 125 Hz.

A temporary noise allowance lets an activity run 15 dB over the limit for a single day, or 10 dB over for up to 14 consecutive days, once every 90 days, if the responsible party first tells the affected neighbors about the noise's duration and nature. A noise control officer employed by the parish enforces the article and can issue citations and pursue violations under § 32-166.