Lexington, KY Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Sec. , prevailing local time, such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary," with carve-outs only for "emergency work of public service utilities" or a special variance under Sec. 14-74. A "noise disturbance" is defined in Sec. 14-70 as sound that endangers or injures health, annoys or disturbs a person of normal sensitivities, or endangers property, and "dwelling unit boundary" reaches walls, ceilings, floors between units and the real property line for detached homes, so the standard is triggered at the property line of the nearest residence, not by a decibel meter reading.

Sec. 14-74 lets the mayor or a designee grant a written special variance to a contractor who shows compliance would cause "an unwarranted health hazard or an unreasonable economic hardship," after a written application, required notice to affected neighbors, and a balancing decision placed on public file with conditions and a time limit. Sec. 14-73 gives police the right to enter and inspect a site to investigate a construction-noise complaint, with a search warrant required if permission is refused, and Sec. 14-75 lets an officer order immediate abatement instead of issuing a citation.