Quiet hours in Austin, TX — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Austin City Code Chapter 9-2 establishes citywide quiet hours from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM, during which sound plainly audible across a property line in residential districts is prohibited. The Austin Police Department and Austin Code Department enforce, with Class C misdemeanor citations up to $500 per offense.
Austin's quiet-hours framework is set by City Code Chapter 9-2 (Noise and Amplified Sound). In residential districts, sound that is plainly audible at or across a property line is unlawful between 10:30 PM and 7:00 AM. The plainly audible standard supplements the daytime decibel caps of 75 dB(A) for residential and 85 dB(A) for commercial measured at the receiving property line. Outdoor amplified music in residential zones must cease by 10:00 PM regardless of decibel level, while permitted Outdoor Music Venues downtown can run until 10:30 PM Sunday-Wednesday and midnight Thursday-Saturday. Construction noise is restricted to 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM weekdays and 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM weekends under Chapter 25-12 unless a special variance is issued. Complaints route to Austin 311 (dial 3-1-1) for non-emergency, or APD non-emergency at 512-974-5000 after hours. Repeated violations of Chapter 9-2 are Class C misdemeanors carrying fines up to $500 per occurrence under §9-2-3, and habitual violators can face civil injunctions. Short-term rentals face a stricter 70 dB(A) cap 24/7 and outdoor amplified music ban under Chapter 25-2 Subchapter E.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Austin's quiet hours rules stack up against other locations.
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