Rio Rancho, NM Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Industrial daytime cap
- 75 dB(A)
- Industrial nighttime cap
- 70 dB(A)
- Measured at
- source property line
- Scale
- A-weighted, Table 1
Summary
Rio Rancho, New Mexico caps noise from industrial and warehousing-district sources at 75 dB(A) daytime and 70 dB(A) nighttime, measured at the source premises property line, and bars any source from emitting extreme noise that harms neighbors' health.
It is unlawful for any person to emit from any source premises within the city extreme noise which causes material harm to the health and welfare of another.
(C) It is unlawful for any person to emit from any source premises within the city a persistently or continuously unreasonable noise during daytime or nighttime hours.
(D) No person shall operate or allow to be operated outdoors any power equipment, including, but not limited to, sweepers, power mowers, leaf/snow blowers, rototillers, power saws, or other equipment used to perform gardening, property repair or other functions during the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. At no time when operational shall the sound level caused by or emitted from any of such equipment/tools exceed 85 dB(A) at the source premises property line.
(E) Decibel level limits.
Table 1 (A-weighted measurements in decibels (dB)) Source Premises Zoning Daytime Nighttime Residential Zoned Districts 55 50
Office District; Neighborhood Commercial District; Retail Commercial District; Business Park District; Special Use District; and Overlay and Special Purpose Zoning Districts 65 60 Wholesale and Warehousing Commercial District; Central Business District; Mixed Use Activity Center District; and Industrial and Business Park District
75 70 Table 2 (C-weighted measurements in decibels (dB)) Source Premises Zoning Daytime Nighttime Residential Zoned Districts 60 55 Table 2 (C-weighted measurements in decibels (dB))
Full Breakdown
Under the unreasonable-noise ordinance, no source premises in the city, a Sandoval County municipality on the west side of the Rio Grande, may emit extreme noise causing material harm to another's health and welfare. Section 131.06(E)'s Table 1 sets the zoned ceiling for the Wholesale and Warehousing Commercial, Central Business, Mixed Use Activity Center, and Industrial and Business Park Districts at 75 dB(A) daytime and 70 dB(A) nighttime, measured from the emitting property's line onto the neighboring parcel.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the zoned decibel limit or causing health-harming noise violates § 131.06; the city's general penalty (§ 10.99) fines up to $500 and/or 90 days jail, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What noise level is allowed at an industrial site in Rio Rancho at night?
Does Rio Rancho ban industrial noise outright?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rio Rancho
Compare Rio Rancho to another location·View the New Mexico noise ordinances overview
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