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Galveston County, TX Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

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

Key Facts

County decibel limit
None (can't zone)
State presumption
85 dB after warning
Galveston day
75 dB(A)
Galveston night
70 dB(A)
Meter standard
A-weighted, slow response

Summary

The county sets no decibel limit. Statewide, Texas Penal Code 42.01 presumes noise unreasonable above 85 dB after a warning. City limits are tighter: Galveston caps sound at 75 dB(A) day and 70 dB(A) night at the receiving property line.

City-specific rules exist: League City has its own decibel limits rules that differ from Galveston County's county-level regulations. If you live in League City, check the city-specific page instead.

a noise is presumed to be unreasonable if the noise exceeds a decibel level of 85 after the person making the noise receives notice from a magistrate or peace officer that the noise is a public nuisance

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Unincorporated Galveston County has no numeric decibel standard because Texas counties lack general ordinance power. The applicable statewide measure is Texas Penal Code Sec. 42.01, under which noise is presumed unreasonable once it exceeds 85 dB after a magistrate or officer warns it is a public nuisance. Cities are stricter. Galveston Code Sec. 24-2 caps sound at 75 dB(A) daytime (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) and 70 dB(A) nighttime (10 p.m.-7 a.m.), measured at the curb or property line where the sound is received. League City references 75 dB(A) for construction and uses a Type 1/2 meter on the A-weighting scale (Sec. 42-37).

Violations & Fines

A Penal Code 42.01 noise offense is a Class C misdemeanor. Galveston enforces its dB(A) caps as Class C misdemeanors; League City fines exceedances $100-$1,000, doubling for repeats within a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a decibel limit in unincorporated Galveston County?
No numeric county limit exists. The state presumes noise unreasonable above 85 dB after a warning under Penal Code 42.01; only cities set specific dB(A) caps.
What decibel level is too loud in Galveston?
Under Sec. 24-2, over 75 dB(A) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. or over 70 dB(A) from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., measured at the receiving property line.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Galveston County

Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockLight RestrictionsVehicle NoiseLight RestrictionsAmplified Music & Outdoor SoundSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesLight RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet LimitsLight RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Cat RulesFew RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsLight RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsFew Restrictions

All Galveston County rules

Texas rules heatmap·Compare Galveston County to another location·View the Texas noise ordinances overview

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Decibel Limits in Cities Across Galveston County

League City, TX