Quiet hours in Jefferson County, TX — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Jefferson County has no noise ordinance with quiet hours in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general police power to regulate noise (Local Gov Code Ch. 233). State law (Penal Code §42.01(a)(5)) governs unreasonable noise countywide and is enforced by the Sheriff.
Texas Penal Code §42.01(a)(5) makes it disorderly conduct to make unreasonable noise in a public place or near a private residence. Subsection (c) sets a presumption that noise above 85 decibels at the place it is observed is unreasonable. Jefferson County has not adopted numeric quiet hours; deputies respond to disorderly conduct calls. Cities within the county — Beaumont, Port Arthur, Nederland, Port Neches, Groves — set their own quiet hours by municipal code. Beaumont Code Ch. 14 prohibits loud noise audible 50 feet from the source between 10 PM and 7 AM.
Disorderly conduct under Penal Code §42.01 is a Class C misdemeanor with a fine up to $500. Repeat or aggravated incidents may escalate.
Jefferson County, TX
Jefferson County does not regulate fence heights in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack zoning authority outside ETJ. The county's Subdivision and Deve...
Jefferson County, TX
Jefferson County has no general leash law in unincorporated areas. The Sheriff's Office handles livestock estrays and rabies quarantine under Tex. Health & S...
Jefferson County, TX
Jefferson County Commissioners Court may restrict 'restricted fireworks' (skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins) in the unincorporated county under T...
Jefferson County, TX
Jefferson County does not regulate STR parking in unincorporated areas. Texas counties cannot impose off-street parking minimums on residential lots (Tex. Lo...
Jefferson County, TX
Jefferson County does not set occupancy limits for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. Texas counties have no zoning or building-code authority over ...
Jefferson County, TX
Jefferson County imposes a 2% county Hotel Occupancy Tax on stays under 30 days, on top of the 6% state HOT. STRs in Beaumont, Port Arthur, Nederland, Groves...
See how Jefferson County's quiet hours rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.