Travis County has no zoning so no commercial noise limits exist at the county level for unincorporated land. Quarries, concrete plants, and industrial sites are regulated by TCEQ permits. State disorderly conduct law applies for unreasonable noise affecting homes.
Texas counties cannot zone (TX Local Gov't Code §231), so Travis County cannot impose decibel caps or operating hours on commercial or industrial operations in unincorporated areas. Quarries and aggregate operations — common in western Travis County near Bee Cave, Spicewood, and along Hamilton Pool Road — are regulated by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) under 30 TAC Ch. 111 (air permits) and Ch. 116. Concrete batch plants require TCEQ Standard Permits with 440-foot property line setbacks under 30 TAC §116.611. TX Health & Safety Code §382 (Clean Air Act) governs nuisance dust and odor. Residents near industrial operations can file complaints with TCEQ Region 11 Austin office (512-339-2929). TX Penal Code §42.01 Disorderly Conduct (85 dB threshold, prior warning required) provides a criminal-law backstop for egregious noise affecting dwellings.
TCEQ permit violations: civil penalties up to $25,000 per day per violation under TX Water Code §7.101. TX Penal §42.01: Class C misdemeanor, up to $500 after prior warning.
Travis County, TX
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See how Travis County's industrial noise rules stack up against other locations.
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