Bexar County, TX Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- San Antonio day limit
- 63 dB 7am-10pm
- San Antonio night limit
- 56 dB 10pm-7am
- Operator response
- 60 minutes to complaint
- Fine range
- $500 to $2,000 per offense
- Unincorporated
- TX Penal Code 42.01 applies
Summary
Unincorporated Bexar County uses TX Penal Code 42.01 for unreasonable noise. San Antonio STRs face 63 dB daytime, 56 dB nighttime limits with escalating fines for repeat violators.
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 Code, or in or near a private residence that he h
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Short-term rental noise enforcement in Bexar County depends on location. 01(a)(5) which makes it a Class C misdemeanor to make unreasonable noise in a public place or near a private residence. Bexar County Sheriff deputies can cite or arrest, and repeat calls at the same STR can lead to nuisance abatement actions. Inside the City of San Antonio, Code of Ordinances Chapter 21 Article IX establishes maximum sound levels of 63 decibels from 7 am to 10 pm and 56 decibels from 10 pm to 7 am measured at the property line of the receiving residential property.
STR operators are responsible for guest conduct; Chapter 15 of the city code requires the STR permit holder to respond within 60 minutes of a noise complaint or face fines starting at 500 dollars and rising to 2,000 dollars per offense plus possible permit revocation after three substantiated complaints in 12 months. Amplified sound, loud parties, fireworks, and pool noise after 10 pm are the most common violations. Several suburban cities including Alamo Heights and Windcrest have stricter STR noise rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my STR guests have amplified music outdoors?
What happens if guests keep violating noise rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bexar County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Bexar County to another location·View the Texas short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.