Quiet hours in Rutherford County, TN — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Rutherford County has not adopted a separate countywide noise ordinance for unincorporated areas; noise disturbances are handled under Tennessee's general disorderly conduct statute at T.C.A. 39-17-305 and by the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office (615-898-7770). Within the City of Murfreesboro, Chapter 21, Article V of the City Code prohibits sound that is plainly audible across a real property boundary between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Smyrna and other municipalities have their own codes. Report unincorporated noise to the Sheriff non-emergency line; report Murfreesboro noise to MPD non-emergency at 615-893-1311.
Rutherford County does not regulate ambient noise levels by decibel meter in unincorporated areas. The county's general police power authority comes from Tennessee Code Annotated 13-7 (county zoning enabling) and 5-1-118 (county home rule), but Rutherford County has not adopted a numeric decibel-based noise ordinance for unincorporated jurisdictions. Instead, deputies enforce noise disturbances under the state disorderly conduct statute, T.C.A. 39-17-305, which makes it a Class C misdemeanor to make unreasonable noise that prevents others from carrying on lawful activities. Within the City of Murfreesboro, Chapter 21, Article V of the City Code uses a 'plainly audible across a real property boundary' standard between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Construction noise within Murfreesboro is generally restricted to daytime hours. The Town of Smyrna and City of La Vergne maintain their own noise codes that apply within their corporate limits. Outside any incorporated city, deputies respond to noise complaints case by case under state law. Animal noise (barking dogs) in unincorporated Rutherford County is handled by Pet Adoption & Welfare Services (PAWS) rather than under a noise ordinance.
Within Murfreesboro, violation of Chapter 21, Article V can be cited to City Court with fines per the standard municipal penalty schedule. In unincorporated Rutherford County, deputies may issue a citation under T.C.A. 39-17-305 (disorderly conduct - unreasonable noise), a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $50, or charge T.C.A. 39-17-307 (public intoxication) where applicable. Repeat or persistent disturbances may be abated as a public nuisance under T.C.A. 29-3-101.
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