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Midland, TX Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Limit
70 dB max at 100 ft
Applies to
Drilling engines only
Production phase
Electric power required
Fine
$100–$500 per day

Summary

Midland's only numeric noise limit citywide applies to oil and gas drilling: engine mufflers must hold sound to 70 decibels or less measured 100 feet from the drill site.

2. That an internal combustion engine may be used in the drilling operations of the well, or wells, and if an internal combustion engine is used, that mufflers be installed on all engines so as to reduce noise to not more than 70 decibels at any point 100 feet beyond the drill site; and all of said installations to be done in accordance with accepted practices for fire prevention purposes. For production purposes, only electric power may be used.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

Under the City's oil and gas well ordinance, drilling rigs may run internal combustion engines only if fitted with mufflers that cut noise to no more than 70 decibels at any point 100 feet beyond the drill site, installed to accepted fire-prevention standards. Once a well moves to production, only electric power is allowed: no combustion engines. This is the sole numeric decibel figure anywhere in Midland's code; the general nuisance-noise ordinance (Section 6-6-13) expressly states no minimum decibel level is required to prove a violation, making this permit-specific limit the city's only measurable noise threshold.

Violations & Fines

Violating the muffler/decibel standard is a misdemeanor fined $100–$500, with each day of noncompliance and each separate provision counted as its own offense (Sec. 6-1-7(R)).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Midland have a citywide decibel limit?
No: the general noise ordinance sets no minimum decibel level; the only numeric limit, 70 decibels at 100 feet, applies specifically to oil and gas drilling engine mufflers under Section 6-1-7(K)(2).
Why does an oil town leave drilling noise to the city instead of the state?
Texas law (Nat. Res. Code §81.0523) reserves oil and gas regulation to the state but lets cities set commercially reasonable rules on noise, fitting Midland's muffler standard into that carve-out.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Midland

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsQuiet HoursLight RestrictionsConstruction HoursSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsLeaf Blower RulesLight RestrictionsAmplified Music & Outdoor SoundSignificant RestrictionsVehicle NoiseHeavy RestrictionsBarking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Rainwater HarvestingLight Restrictions

All Midland rules

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