Memphis, TN Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Memphis, TN, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Memphis Code § 9-68-5
- Emphasis hours
- 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Prohibited conduct
- Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, singing
- Standard
- Disturbs quiet/comfort/repose of nearby residents
- Related construction curfew
- 7am-6pm weekdays, 8am-4pm Sat., § 9-68-6
- Maximum fine
- $50.00 plus up to $200.00 additional penalty
Summary
Memphis Code § 9-68-5 bans yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on public streets, with particular emphasis between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., whenever the noise annoys or disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of people in a nearby hospital, dwelling, hotel or other residence, or anyone else in the vicinity.
Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on the public streets, particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or at any time or place so as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any hospital, dwelling, hotel or any other type of residence or of any persons in the vicinity is prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Charter: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
window marks the period of heightened enforcement rather than a hard start and stop time. on Saturdays, with after-hours work allowed only under an emergency permit from the chief building inspector capped at 30 days. Together these sections give Memphis a de facto nighttime quiet period across voices, sound equipment and construction, all keyed to the general disturbance-of-repose standard set out in § 9-68-1 rather than to a decibel meter.
Violations & Fines
A § 9-68-5 violation is enforced like the rest of Chapter 9-68: fined up to $50.00 under the general penalty in § 1-24-1(A), since noise control is not among the chapters carrying the $200.00 mandatory minimum under § 1-24-1(C), though an automatic additional penalty of up to $200.00 still applies. Each night the yelling, shouting or singing continues to disturb neighbors is treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Memphis's quiet hours start?
Does Memphis restrict construction noise at night too?
What's the penalty for violating Memphis quiet hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Memphis
How Memphis compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Memphis to another location·View the Tennessee noise ordinances overview
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