Dallas County, TX Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- County authority
- TX Local Gov Code 250.008
- State noise law
- TX Penal Code 42.01(a)(5)
- County ordinance
- None comprehensive
- Class C fine
- Up to $500
- Quiet hours
- Set by each city
Summary
Texas Local Government Code 250.008 lets counties regulate noise only in unincorporated areas. Dallas County's Sheriff enforces state Penal Code 42.01 disorderly conduct (unreasonable noise) for loud-party calls outside city limits. Inside cities, municipal noise ordinances and police handle loud parties.
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(3) creates, by chemical means, a noxious and unreasonable odor in a public place;(4) abuses or threatens a person in a public place in an obviously offensive manner;(5) makes unreasonable noise in a public place other than a sport shooting range, as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government
Full Breakdown
Texas Local Government Code 250.008 grants counties limited noise authority in unincorporated areas, conditioned on commissioner court adoption. Dallas County has not adopted a comprehensive countywide noise ordinance. Loud-party calls in unincorporated Dallas County are handled by the Dallas County Sheriff under Penal Code 42.01(a)(5), which makes unreasonable noise (typically over 85 dB or audible at the property line) disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor. Cities like Dallas (City Code 30-3), Irving, Garland, Plano, and Richardson run their own noise ordinances with quiet hours (typically 10 pm to 7 am) and decibel limits enforced by city police. Dallas County Sheriff coordinates with city departments on cross-jurisdiction calls.
Violations & Fines
Penal Code 42.01(a)(5) unreasonable noise is a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500. City noise ordinances in Dallas County typically charge $200 to $2,000 per offense, escalating with repeat violations. Habitual nuisance properties can face civil abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dallas County have countywide quiet hours?
Who do I call for a loud party in unincorporated Dallas County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dallas County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Dallas County to another location·View the Texas public conduct overview
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