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St. Louis, MO Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Quiet hours in St. Louis, MO, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.

Key Facts

Nighttime hours: 10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.
Nighttime limit, Districts A–E: 50 dB(A) sustained
Daytime limit, Districts A–E: 55 dB(A) sustained
Enforcing official: Health Commissioner
Penalty: $100–$500 fine, up to 90 days jail

Summary

St. Louis defines nighttime hours as 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. and requires stationary noise sources in residential Districts A through E to stay at or below 50 dB(A) sustained then, five decibels under the daytime cap.

H.Daytime hours: 7:00 o'clock a.m. to 10:00 o'clock p.m., prevailing local time. ... O.Nighttime hours: 10:00 o'clock p.m. to 7:00 o'clock a.m., prevailing local time. ... 1.Zoning Districts Zoned A—E ... Nighttime Hours Tn* (dB(A))** 60 50 or less ... 0 66 or greater

Source: St. Louis Revised Code Chapter 15.42View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11).

Full Breakdown

The city's noise code (Ch. 15.51) sets a stricter nighttime ceiling rather than a blanket curfew. "Daytime hours" run 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and "nighttime hours" run 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Table I then sets sustained (60-minute) outdoor limits by zoning district: 55 dB(A) daytime / 50 dB(A) nighttime in the "A" through "E" single- and multi-family districts, rising to 65/60 dB(A) in "F"–"G" commercial districts, with 70 and 80 dB(A) flat limits in the industrial "H"–"I" and "J"–"K" districts regardless of time. Discrete-tone or impulsive noise gets a further 5 dB(A) reduction. The Director of the Department of Health and Hospitals enforces the standard.

Violations & Fines

Health Commissioner issues a written notice to abate; unresolved violations go to the City Counselor for prosecution. Fines run $100–$500 (or up to 90 days in jail), with each day of continued violation a separate offense; the City can also seek a court injunction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as nighttime under St. Louis's noise code?

10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., prevailing local time, per Revised Code § 15.51.010(O). Daytime hours are 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. under the same section.

How much quieter must a noise source be at night?

In residential Districts A–E, a sustained source must stay at or below 50 dB(A) at night versus 55 dB(A) by day, per Table I of § 15.51.030.

What happens if a neighbor's noise exceeds the limit at night?

The Health Commissioner can order abatement; an unresolved violation is referred to the City Counselor for prosecution, with fines of $100–$500 per day or up to 90 days in jail.

Sources & Official References

[1]Revised Code of the City of St. Louis, Ch. 15.51 (Municode)

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How St. Louis compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare St. Louis to another location·View the Missouri noise ordinances overview

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