El Paso Chapter 9.40 establishes A-weighted decibel limits by zone and time of day. Residential receiving properties are limited to 55 dB(A) daytime and 50 dB(A) nighttime; commercial 65/60 dB(A); industrial 70/60 dB(A).
The city measures noise at the property line of the receiving property using a Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meter, A-weighted, slow response. Limits are tiered: residential 55 dB(A) day / 50 dB(A) night; commercial 65 dB(A) day / 60 dB(A) night; industrial 70 dB(A) day / 60 dB(A) night. Impulsive sounds such as hammering are subject to a 5 dB(A) reduction. Pure-tone noise gets a 5 dB(A) penalty. Environmental Services uses calibrated meters and maintains training records for inspectors. Residents may also rely on reasonable-person plainly-audible standards at night without a meter.
Class C misdemeanor; fines $50 to $500 first offense, up to $2,000 for repeats. Ongoing violations may trigger injunctive relief through municipal court.
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