Twin Falls County, ID Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Twin Falls County's numeric decibel language lives inside its Public Assemblies chapter, not a stand-alone noise ordinance. Section 5-1-2 defines 'loud sound' as any noise measuring 96 decibels or more at the assembly. Section 5-1-3 uses that number, along with headcount, to decide when an event needs a county permit: any gathering of 300 or more people where alcohol will be consumed and/or loud sound will be present needs a Board of County Commissioners permit, and any gathering of 500 or more people needs one regardless of noise or alcohol.

Applicants must file at the County Commissioner's Office 60 days before the assembly, and the Sheriff, the relevant fire district, and the relevant highway district may weigh in on security, fire protection, and traffic control at least 30 days out. The Board can condition approval on site characteristics, neighbor impact, or public welfare, and can bar a 500-plus-person gathering within one-quarter mile of the Snake River or Rock Creek's high-water mark unless safety precautions are shown. The chapter exempts gatherings allowed by the zone where they occur, gatherings covered by an existing special or conditional use permit, government fairgrounds fairs, spontaneous news-driven expressive gatherings, and, notably, anything inside an incorporated municipality. Once a permit issues, the applicant must agree to let the Sheriff and deputies enter to enforce the permit or the chapter.