Plano, TX Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime industrial cap
- 75 dB or 10 dB over background
- Nighttime industrial cap
- 65 dB or 5 dB over background
- Night hours defined
- 10:01 p.m.–6:59 a.m.
- Impulsive noise adjustment
- minus 5 dB from cap
- First-offense fine
- up to $500 per day
- Enforcing official
- city manager or designee
- Ordinance
- No. 2025-8-3, eff. 8-11-25
Summary
Plano caps noise reaching industrial-district property at 75 dB (or 10 dB above background, whichever is lower) between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., falling to 65 dB (or 5 dB above background) from 10:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m. Exceeding Table 1 of Code of Ordinances § 14-87 makes the noise a presumed nuisance and a criminal offense under § 14-86.
(a)A noise is presumed to be unreasonable and declared to be a noise nuisance if it meets any of the following criteria:(1)The noise directly or indirectly results in a specific noise level exceeding the maximum applicable noise level in the following table: Table 1: Maximum Specific Noise Levels. Noise-receiving district / Timeframe: Day 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Night 10:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m. Industrial: 75 dB or 10 dB above the background noise level, whichever is lower (day); 65 dB or 5 dB above the background noise level, whichever is lower (night). If the background noise level exceeds the maximum permitted noise level indicated above, the background noise level shall be the maximum noise level. 5 dB shall be subtracted from the maximum Noise Level where the Noise Level includes impulsive noise.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 153).
Full Breakdown
) to 65 dB or 5 dB above background, whichever is lower. Three measurement rules apply across all districts: if background noise already exceeds the table's cap, the background level itself becomes the maximum; 5 dB is subtracted from the allowed level whenever the noise includes impulsive noise; and the most restrictive maximum applies at whichever property the noise is actually audible from, with measurement location adjustable for line-of-sight or elevation problems. A specific noise level over the industrial threshold is presumed to be an unreasonable 'noise nuisance' under § 14-87(a), prosecuted as an offense under § 14-86 for intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly making or allowing the noise.
7. 8: a fine up to $500 for a first offense, rising to a minimum $300 (max $500) for a second conviction and a minimum $400 (max $500) for a third conviction within three years of the prior offense, with each day of violation a separate offense; the city may also pursue abatement, injunctive relief, or permit revocation. The current framework was adopted by Ordinance No. 2025-8-3 on August 11, 2025, replacing the prior noise article.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the industrial noise table is prosecuted as a criminal offense under § 14-86, punishable under § 14-91.8 by a fine up to $500, with each day of continued violation charged as a separate offense. A second conviction within three years carries a fine of at least $300 (up to $500); a third carries at least $400 (up to $500). The city may also seek abatement of the nuisance, injunctive relief, administrative adjudication, or revocation of a certificate of occupancy or other city permit tied to the offending property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Plano's daytime industrial noise limit?
Does the industrial limit change at night?
What happens if background noise already exceeds the table cap?
Who enforces Plano's industrial noise rules and what's the penalty?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Plano
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Decibel Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Collin County handle decibel limits.