Quiet hours in Shelby County, TN — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Shelby County Code Chapter 16, Article III governs noise in unincorporated Shelby County. Sec. 16-61 bans any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise 24/7, and Sec. 16-63 sets an amplified-sound quiet window of 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
The county rule applies in the unincorporated areas of Shelby County; incorporated cities (Memphis, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Millington, Arlington, Lakeland) enforce their own noise codes. Sec. 16-61 prohibits any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise at all hours. Sec. 16-63 singles out amplified sound, radios and instruments 'particularly during the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.' when it disturbs residents or persons nearby. There are no countywide clock-based decibel curfews beyond this; enforcement is by fine under Sec. 16-67, up to $50.00 per violation, each day a separate offense.
Under Sec. 16-67, a violation is punishable by a fine not to exceed $50.00 for each separate violation, and each day it continues is a separate offense. Sec. 16-68 makes repeated violations a public nuisance abatable by injunction.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Shelby County's quiet hours rules stack up against other locations.
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