Prescott Valley, AZ Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Section 10-01-070(D) of the Prescott Valley Town Code makes it unlawful to create any noise, including amplified sound, in a commercial area that pushes the level inside a complainant's residential dwelling past the community noise standards in Table 1 for more than fifteen (15) minutes. A commercial area means land in the C1, C2 or C3 zoning districts. A residential area means land zoned R1L, R1M, R1MH, R2, RCU or RS. The meter reading is taken inside the dwelling with all windows and doors closed, using a sound level meter verified and calibrated to the manufacturer's specifications.

Table 1 sets two tiers. For dwellings in residential areas inside the Prescott Valley Town Center Plan, the maximum is 50 dB(A) from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 75 dB(A) during the remaining hours. For dwellings in other residential areas the overnight maximum is the same 50 dB(A), and the daytime maximum is 60 dB(A). Friday and Saturday nights therefore run later, to midnight, before the overnight limit applies.

Section 10-01-070(E) exempts emergency work, sound made to alert people to danger or attempted crime, activities of governmental agencies, parades, concerts, festivals and fairs that stay within sound limits approved by the Town, and school-run athletic, musical or cultural events. Separate rules in the same section also apply: under subsection (C)(1)(c), noise over 60 dB(A) between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. that can be heard beyond the property line is presumed unreasonable, and subsection (C)(2) bars amplified sound plainly audible at fifty (50) feet from the operator.