Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Reno, NV Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Nighttime limit
49 dB at residential property line
Daytime limit
65 dB at residential property line
Nighttime hours
10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Applies to
nonresidential development within 300 ft of homes
Park amplification cap
50 dB, 75 dB with permit

Summary

Reno's zoning code caps noise from nearby nonresidential development at 49 decibels overnight and 65 decibels during the day at the property line of any adjacent home, enforced under the Residential Adjacency standards of the 2025 Land Development Code.

(a)Noise at Residential Property Lines  (1)Measurement Measurement of noise shall be made at the residential property line with a sound level meter and octave band analyzer meeting the standards prescribed by the American Standards Association.(2)Permissible Noise Levela.Nighttime Noise Level Noise levels shall not exceed 49 db leq or 49 db for a single event occurring on a re-occurring basis at a residentially zoned property line between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.b.Daytime Noise Level Noise levels shall not exceed 65 db leq or 65 db for a single event on a reoccurring basis at a residentially zoned property line.1.Noise associated with temporary construction activity is exempt from the standards from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.2.Airport airplane operations are exempt from these standards.(b)Exclusions for Existing Higher Ambient Noise Levels Where existing ambient noise levels already exceed the standards of this article as of the effective date of this Title, the subject source may not increase existing levels. Editor's note— Ord. No. 6692, § 1(Exh. A), adopted January 8, 2025, repealed the former § 18.04.1407, and renumbered §§ 18.04.1408—18.04.1413, as §§ 18.04.1407—18.04.1412 as set out herein. The former § 18.04.1407 pertained to spillover lighting and derived from original source code.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Administrative Code: Supplement 64 | Land Development Code: Supplement 5 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Reno Municipal Code § 18.04.1407 sets the city's numeric noise ceiling for nonresidential and mixed-use projects built on or within 300 feet of a residential zoning district or mobile home park: no more than 49 dB Leq (or for a recurring single event) between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and no more than 65 dB Leq during the day, both measured at the residential property line with a sound level meter and octave band analyzer. Temporary construction noise is exempt from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and airport operations are exempt outright. Where existing ambient noise already exceeds these caps, the source may not push levels higher.

Violations & Fines

Violating the noise standard is a Title 18 zoning violation: the Administrator can issue a notice of violation, administrative citation, or stop-work order and may withhold or revoke permits under RMC § 18.01.504 and Chapter 1.05, Code Enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Reno's decibel limit cover a neighbor's loud stereo?
No. RMC § 18.04.1407 regulates noise from nonresidential and mixed-use development near residential zones, not neighbor-to-neighbor noise, which falls under the city's general nuisance and disturbing-the-peace rules instead.
What about loudspeakers in Reno's parks?
RMC § 8.23.085 caps sound amplification equipment in Reno parks at 50 decibels within 50 feet without a permit, and 75 decibels at the permitted area's boundary even with one; violating it is a misdemeanor.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Reno

All Reno rules

Compare Reno to another location·View the Nevada noise ordinances overview

Get notified when Decibel Limits in Reno, NV changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.