Outdoor music at Albuquerque restaurants, patios, and events must stay within ROA Chapter 9-9 limits and end amplified play by 10:00 PM in most residential-adjacent zones.
Outdoor live and recorded music at Albuquerque businesses is treated as commercial noise under ROA 9-9. Restaurants and breweries along Central Avenue, in Nob Hill, and on the Westside with outdoor patios must keep music under 70 dB(A) at the nearest residential property line during daytime and 60 dB(A) after 10:00 PM. Venues operating under a Special Event Permit can extend amplified play to midnight on Friday and Saturday but must comply with any permit-specific decibel caps. Backyard residential outdoor music follows residential zone limits (65 day / 55 night). Summit Park and Civic Plaza concerts operate under city-issued variances. HOAs in areas like High Desert and Tanoan often impose stricter patio music limits on residents.
Commercial violations start at $250 and rise to $1,000 for third offenses. Residents face $100-$500 fines. Unpermitted amplified events can also receive cease-and-desist orders from the city.
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See how Albuquerque's outdoor music rules stack up against other locations.
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