East Baton Rouge Parish, LA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Industrial dB table
- None in noise code
- Stationary engines
- Muffler required, 12:101(7)
- Boiler whistle
- Signals/danger only
- Catch-all
- Sec. 12:100
- Penalty
- $200-$500 or 30 days
Summary
East Baton Rouge Parish has no separate industrial decibel zoning table. Stationary engines, boilers and machinery are covered by Sec. 12:100 and 12:101, which require mufflers on exhaust and ban loud, raucous noise that disturbs the public.
The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any stationary steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, or motor boat engine, except through a muffler or other device which will effectively and efficiently prevent loud noises.
(10) The discharge into the open air of the exhaust from any motor vehicle except through a muffler, or other device, which will effectively and efficiently prevent loud and raucous noises.
(11) The creation of loud and raucous noise by construction work in or adjacent to a residential area other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and sunset on weekdays and Saturdays, except in the case of urgent necessity in the interest of public safety for which permission must be obtained from the director of public works. Construction work includes, but is not limited to, the erection, excavation, demolition, alteration, or repair of any building.
(12) The creation of loud and raucous noise on any street adjacent to any school or court which is in session or adjacent to any hospital; provided, that conspicuous signs are located in such streets indicating that schools, hospitals, and courts are adjacent thereto.
(13) The shouting and crying of peddlers, hawkers and vendors which disturbs the quiet and peace of residentially zoned areas.
(Ord. No. 11697, § 1, 3-22-00; Ord. No. 12010, § 1, 5-9-01; Ord. No. 13552, § 1, 4-12-06; Ord. No. 17167, § 1, 9-25-19; Ord. No. 19644, § 1, 10-8-25)
Full Breakdown
Rather than a dedicated industrial-noise chapter with zone-by-zone dB limits, the parish relies on the general noise ordinance. Sec. 12:101(6) bars blowing a steam whistle on a stationary boiler except to signal work times or danger, and subsection (7) requires the exhaust of any stationary steam engine, internal combustion engine or motor-boat engine to pass through a muffler or device that effectively prevents loud noises. The catch-all Sec. 12:100 covers other machinery noise offensive to ordinary sensibilities. Zoning of industrial uses and setbacks is handled separately in the parish Unified Development Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there industrial noise decibel zones in Baton Rouge?
Must factory engines have mufflers?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in East Baton Rouge Parish
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