Quiet hours in Jefferson County, KY — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Jefferson County and Louisville merged in 2003 to form Louisville Metro Government, so all unincorporated Jefferson County areas fall under LMCO Chapter 99 (Noise). The ordinance prohibits unreasonably loud, harsh, or excessive noise. Construction near residential property is banned 9 PM to 7 AM. Civil penalties range from $100 to $1,000 per offense.
Since the 2003 consolidation into Louisville Metro Government, Jefferson County's unincorporated areas are governed by Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances (LMCO). Chapter 99 (§ 99.02) makes it unlawful for any person to make, continue, or cause any unreasonably loud, harsh, or excessive noise that annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace, or safety of others. Rather than strict time-based quiet hours for all residential noise, § 99.03 uses a reasonableness test considering proximity to residential areas, health care facilities, churches, and schools, and the density of the area. Construction and demolition within 100 feet of residential property is explicitly restricted to 7 AM–9 PM. Portable generators are limited to 70 dBA. Note: 12 municipalities within Jefferson County maintain independent zoning authority and may have their own noise rules (Anchorage, Douglass Hills, Graymoor-Devondale, Hurstbourne, Indian Hills, Jeffersontown, Lyndon, Middletown, Prospect, Shively, St. Matthews, St. Regis Park).
Civil offense enforced through the Code Enforcement Board. First offense (within 2 years): $100–$250. Second: $250–$500. Third: $500–$1,000. Each occurrence is a separate offense.
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See how Jefferson County's quiet hours rules stack up against other locations.
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