Noise from Specific Sources in Alabama (2026)
18 rules on the books across Alabama, 7 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
Noise limits for air conditioners, heat pumps, pool equipment, and other mechanical systems, including decibel thresholds measured at the property line.
Bar & Nightclub Noise
Noise regulations specific to bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues, including bass frequency limits, soundproofing requirements, and complaint procedures.
Huntsville
Significant RestrictionsHuntsville limits commercial noise to 62 decibels at all times and bars amplified music audible at nearby homes after…
Read full rule →Hoover
Some RestrictionsHoover has no bar- or nightclub-specific noise limit; instead its general noise ordinance bans amplified sound loud…
Read full rule →Montgomery
Some RestrictionsMontgomery makes it a nuisance and a crime for any business, bar, or nightclub to play a radio, stereo, television…
Read full rule →Car Alarm Limits
Maximum duration for car alarms before they must auto-silence, penalties for repeated false alarms, and vehicle towing authority for chronic alarm violations.
Birmingham
Some RestrictionsBirmingham law makes it unlawful to sound or allow any exterior burglar alarm or motor vehicle burglar alarm unless it…
Read full rule →Hoover
Some RestrictionsHoover prohibits sounding a horn, alarm, or other signal device on a parked private or commercial vehicle unless it's a…
Read full rule →Huntsville
Some RestrictionsHuntsville exempts vehicle and other alarm systems from the noise code's decibel limits, but a burglar-type alarm…
Read full rule →Tuscaloosa
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa exempts burglar alarms and vehicle security alarms from the city's general 75/65 decibel noise limits, but…
Read full rule →Mobile
Light RestrictionsBurglar and security alarms in Mobile are exempt from the noise ordinance but must self-terminate within 15 minutes of…
Read full rule →Generator Noise
Rules for portable and standby generators, including permitted operating hours, decibel limits, and restrictions during non-emergency use.
Birmingham
Some RestrictionsBirmingham caps generator noise from permitted mobile food vehicles and pushcarts at 80 dBA and makes vendors submit…
Read full rule →Huntsville
Some RestrictionsPortable and standby generators in Huntsville must stay within the city's decibel limits, 55 dB(A) by day and 50 dB(A)…
Read full rule →Hoover
Few RestrictionsHoover's noise ordinance exempts a properly muffled generator used to produce electrical power from its general ban on…
Read full rule →Delivery Truck Noise
Time-of-day restrictions on commercial delivery trucks operating in residential zones, including back-up beepers, refrigeration units, and engine idling.
Birmingham
Some RestrictionsBirmingham bans refuse collection and loading/unloading noise, including box and crate handling, between 10:00 p.m. and…
Read full rule →Huntsville
Some RestrictionsHuntsville bars trucks over 10,000 pounds GVWR from idling or running attached equipment for more than ten minutes an…
Read full rule →Vestavia Hills
Some RestrictionsCode § 11-66(10) bars loading, unloading or handling boxes, crates, containers or garbage cans between 10:00 p.m. and…
Read full rule →Tuscaloosa
Few RestrictionsTuscaloosa's noise article does not reach ordinary truck traffic: Sec. 10.8-14(i) exempts the normal and usual…
Read full rule →Low-Frequency Bass Limits
Special bass-frequency (≤125 Hz) sound limits for venues, including dB(C) measurement standards and how cities differentiate bass noise from baseline ambient.
Huntsville
Significant RestrictionsHuntsville makes it illegal to run a car stereo or subwoofer loud enough to be heard 25 feet from the vehicle on any…
Read full rule →Montgomery
Significant RestrictionsMontgomery's noise ordinance defines audibility by ear, not decibel meter, and expressly states that bass…
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