Little Rock, AR Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Little Rock, AR, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Quiet hours
- 10:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Covered noise
- radios, stereos, musical instruments
- River Market amphitheater
- midnight to 7:30 a.m. only
- Maximum fine
- $1,000 per violation
- Continuing violation fine
- up to $500 per day
Summary
Little Rock bans loud radios, stereos, and musical instruments between 10:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. if the noise disturbs the peace of nearby homes, hotels, hospitals, or offices.
The playing of any radio, phonograph, any type of audio equipment, or any musical instrument in such a manner or with such volume, particularly during the hours between 10:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. as to annoy or disturb the quietness, comfort or peace of any persons in or around any office, hospital, or any dwelling, hotel or other type of residence. Except that the amphitheater located in the River Market will refrain from the playing of such instruments and audio equipment during the hours between 12:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
(3) Any group yelling, hooting, shouting out or the playing of any type of audio equipment on the public streets, at any time or place, in such a manner as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or peace of persons in any hospital, dwelling, hotel or other type of residence or otherwise creates an annoyance or problem.
(4) The keeping of any animal, bird, or fowl which by causing frequent or long continued noise shall disturb the comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity.
(5) The use of any automobile, motorcycle, or vehicle so out of repair, so loaded, or in such a manner as to create loud and unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise.
(6) The blowing of any steam whistle attached to any stationary boiler except to give notice of the time to begin or stop work or as a warning of fire or danger, or upon request of proper city authorities.
(7) To discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 83).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 18-52(b)(2) makes it unlawful to play a radio, phonograph, other audio equipment, or musical instrument loudly enough to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort, or peace of people in nearby offices, hospitals, dwellings, hotels, or other residences, with the curfew running 10:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily. The River Market amphitheater gets a narrower carve-out, silencing instruments and audio equipment only from midnight to 7:30 a.m. The section sits inside the broader 'noises prohibited generally' offense enforced citywide by Little Rock police.
Violations & Fines
A first violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine under Sec. 1-9; continuing violations can draw up to $500 per day the noise persists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Little Rock's noise curfew apply to all noise or just music?
Is the River Market amphitheater exempt from the 10:30 p.m. curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Little Rock
How Little Rock compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Little Rock to another location·View the Arkansas noise ordinances overview
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