Rapides Parish, LA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Rapides Parish, LA, 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
- Rapides Parish Code § 19-52(b)(2)-(3)
- Quiet hours
- 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Covers
- Radios, TVs, instruments, yelling on streets
- Daytime noise
- Still a violation if it disturbs a residence
- Penalty section
- Sec. 19-52.1
- Max penalty
- $100 fine or 30 days jail
Summary
Rapides Parish sets an 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. quiet window under Sec. 19-52(b)(2) and (3): playing a radio, television or musical instrument, or yelling, shouting, hooting or singing on public streets loud enough to disturb neighbors during those hours is an unlawful, unnecessary noise.
(2)Radio, television, phonograph or any musical instrument. The playing of any radio, television, phonograph or any musical instrument in such a manner or with such volume, particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office, hospital, or in any dwelling, hotel or other type of residence, or of any persons in the vicinity.(3)Yelling, shouting, etc. 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 other type of residence, or of any persons in the vicinity.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 19-52(a) makes it unlawful throughout the parish to make or continue any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise that annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others. Subsection (b) lists specific examples, and two are built around the same overnight window. , as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of people in an office, hospital, dwelling, hotel or other residence, or of persons in the vicinity, is a violation. , or at any time or place so as to disturb people in a hospital, dwelling, hotel or other residence, or persons in the vicinity.
Both clauses use the word particularly rather than only, so daytime noise loud enough to genuinely disturb a hospital or residence can still violate the section; the overnight window simply marks the hours when a lower volume already counts. The ordinance was adopted July 10, 1990, and Sec. 1, added September 11, 1990, sets the penalty for any Sec. 19-51 or Sec. 19-52 violation at up to thirty days in the parish jail or a fine of up to one hundred dollars, or both, at the court's discretion.
Violations & Fines
Playing a radio, television or musical instrument, or yelling, shouting or singing on parish streets, loud enough to disturb a neighbor's comfort or repose, especially between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., violates Sec. 19-52(b)(2) or (3). Sec. 19-52.1 sets the penalty at up to thirty days in the parish jail or a fine of up to $100, or both, at the court's discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the quiet hours in unincorporated Rapides Parish?
Can I be cited for loud music during the day?
Is shouting on a public street covered by the quiet hours rule?
What is the penalty for violating the parish's quiet hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rapides Parish
How Rapides Parish compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Rapides Parish to another location·View the Louisiana noise ordinances overview
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