Bexar County, TX Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Disorderly conduct
- TX Penal 42.01
- First response
- Often warning
- Repeat calls
- Citations and costs
- STR impact
- Permit risk
Summary
Bexar County deputies enforce loud-party and nuisance gathering complaints under disorderly conduct, noise, and unruly gathering rules. Hosts of repeat loud parties in unincorporated areas can face citations, cost recovery for repeat responses, and civil nuisance abatement.
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly: ... (5) makes unreasonable noise in a public place other than a sport shooting range, as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code, or in or near a private residence that he has no right to occupy ... (c) ... (2) a noise is presumed to be unreasonable if the noise exceeds a decibel level of 85 after the person making the noise receives notice from a magistrate or peace officer that the noise is a public nuisance. (d) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Loud parties in unincorporated Bexar County are typically addressed through Texas Penal Code Section 42.01 disorderly conduct for unreasonable noise and through county nuisance and noise rules. The Sheriff responds to complaints, may issue warnings on a first call, and citations on repeat calls. Hosts of recurring loud or unruly gatherings, including short-term rental operators, can face cost-recovery billing for repeated deputy responses, civil nuisance abatement orders, and license consequences for any associated TABC permits. Cities inside Bexar County, including San Antonio, also enforce parallel loud party ordinances with more specific decibel and time limits.
Violations & Fines
Disorderly conduct citations for unreasonable noise are Class C misdemeanors with fines up to 500 dollars. Repeat unruly gatherings can trigger nuisance abatement, response cost recovery, and short-term rental permit revocation where applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there countywide quiet hours?
Can a host be billed for repeat noise calls?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bexar County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Bexar County to another location·View the Texas public conduct overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.