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Tucson, AZ Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)

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

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

Key Facts

Residential nighttime limit
62 dB(A), 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
Residential daytime limit
70 dB(A)
Commercial nighttime limit
65 dB(A)
Industrial nighttime limit
70 dB(A)
Mixed-use lots
lower limit applies to residential portion only
Penalty
civil infraction, § 1-8(2)

Summary

Tucson's noise ordinance sets stricter decibel ceilings overnight: residential property lines can't exceed 62 dB(A) between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., versus 70 dB(A) during the day. Commercial and industrial property get the same nighttime cut too. Violations are civil infractions enforced by Tucson Police and the city attorney.

(a) Maximum permissible sound levels. No person shall conduct or permit any activity that produces a dB(A) beyond that person's property line exceeding the levels specified in Table I. Where property is used for both residential and commercial purposes, the residential sound levels shall be used only for measurements made on the portion of the property used solely for residential purposes. TABLE I Use of Property Receiving the Sound: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. / 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Residential 70 / 62. Commercial 72 / 65. Industrial 85 / 70. All limits expressed in dB(A).

Source: Arizona State LegislatureView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-150: Current through June 23, 2026).

Full Breakdown

m. ) to 62 dB(A) overnight; commercial property falls from 72 dB(A) to 65 dB(A); industrial property falls from 85 dB(A) to 70 dB(A). Where a property serves both residential and commercial uses, the lower residential limit applies only to the portion of the property used solely for residential purposes, so a mixed-use lot doesn't get the benefit of the stricter cap everywhere. window can cite a violation once the reading tops 62 dB(A) residential (or the applicable commercial/industrial threshold) without needing to prove the sound is otherwise a nuisance.

That's distinct from subsection (b)'s separate list of specific prohibited noises (stereos, barking dogs, construction, raucous shouting), which apply regardless of decibel level if they're plainly audible and disturb the neighborhood. The city manager may grant temporary exemptions from the Table I limits under subsection (d) for events, capped at 30 days, after weighing factors like proximity of residences and the time of night the activity would occur. Enforcement is handled by the Tucson Police Department and the city attorney's office, and violations are civil infractions.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the Table I nighttime decibel limits is a civil infraction under Tucson City Code § 1-8(2), prosecuted under Chapter 8 procedures by the police department and city attorney. The court enters an abatement order against anyone found responsible, and a resident filing a complaint does not have to appear in court for the citation to proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the noise limit at my property line after 10 p.m. in Tucson?
Tucson City Code § 16-31(a) Table I caps residential property at 62 dB(A) measured at the property line between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., down from 70 dB(A) during the day. Commercial drops to 65 dB(A) and industrial to 70 dB(A) overnight.
Does the nighttime limit apply to a home business?
If a lot has both residential and commercial uses, the stricter residential decibel limit applies only to the portion of the property used solely for residential purposes: the commercial portion is measured against the higher commercial threshold, per § 16-31(a).
Do I need a decibel meter to prove a nighttime noise complaint?
For a Table I violation, yes: the limit is defined in dB(A) at the property line. But subsection (b)'s separately listed noises, like barking dogs or loud stereos, don't require a decibel reading if they're plainly audible and disturb the neighborhood.
Can an event get an exception to the nighttime limits?
The city manager can grant a temporary exemption from the Table I sound limits under subsection (d), in writing, for up to 30 days, weighing factors like the event's proximity to residences and the time of night it runs.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Tucson

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How Tucson compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Tucson to another location·View the Arizona noise ordinances overview

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