El Paso County, CO Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime limit (7am-7pm)
- 55 dBA residential/commercial
- Nighttime limit (7pm-7am)
- 50 dBA residential/commercial
- Industrial/construction daytime
- 80 dBA
- Industrial/construction nighttime
- 75 dBA
- Underlying ordinance
- Ordinance 02-1
Summary
Unincorporated El Paso County caps outdoor sound under LDC Table 6-7: 55 dBA daytime and 50 dBA at night in residential and commercial areas, with a higher 80/75 dBA allowance for industrial and construction activity.
Sound levels shall be measured in dBA as provided for in Section 6 of Ordinance 02-1. During the time periods indicated in Table 6-7, the sound levels allowed by Ordinance 02-1 shall be observed. ... Residential or Commercial Area 55 50 ... Industrial area or Construction Activities1 80 75 ... Non-specified Areas 55 50
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Land Development Code: Supplement 3 | Drainage Criteria Manual: Publication | Engineering Criteria Manual: Supplement 3 | Ordinances: Reformat).
Full Breakdown
El Paso County's Land Development Code regulates noise under §6.2.7(E), which implements Ordinance 02-1: Ordinance Concerning Noise Level in Unincorporated El Paso County. Sound is measured in dBA per Ordinance 02-1 Section 6. Table 6-7 sets two time windows, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., with residential, commercial and non-specified areas capped at 55/50 dBA and industrial areas or active construction capped at a higher 80/75 dBA. Construction gets the industrial allowance only while working under a valid building or construction permit; at other times the lower limit applies.
Violations & Fines
Displaying sound above the Table 6-7 limit for the applicable land use and time period violates Ordinance 02-1 and LDC §6.2.7(E); El Paso County can cite the source property for each exceedance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the noise limit in unincorporated El Paso County?
Are construction sites allowed to be louder?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Paso County
Compare El Paso County to another location·View the Colorado noise ordinances overview
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