Noise Ordinances in Kentucky (2026)
19 rules on the books across Kentucky, 6 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Quiet Hours
Nighttime and early morning noise restrictions. Most cities set specific hours when loud activities like lawn mowing, parties, and power tools are not allowed.
Construction Hours
When construction, demolition, and heavy equipment may run in residential areas. Most cities regulate this by hours and days rather than volume; violations can bring stop-work orders and fines.
Lexington
Some RestrictionsLexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72 bars running construction, drilling or demolition tools between 11:00 p.m…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsConstruction and demolition noise in Louisville Metro is exempt from the noise ordinance only between 7:00 A.M. and…
Read full rule →Barking Dogs
Rules about excessive or continuous dog barking, including how complaints are filed, time-of-day limits, and penalties for owners.
Boone County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Boone County, Kentucky, a dog or other animal that "makes noise in an excessive, continuous or…
Read full rule →Campbell County
Some RestrictionsCampbell County Code § 90.04(A) bars harboring or keeping any animal whose loud, frequent or habitual barking, howling…
Read full rule →Daviess County
Some RestrictionsDaviess County treats a dog left to bark, howl or yelp excessively, continuously or at untimely hours as a public…
Read full rule →Kenton County
Some RestrictionsKenton County treats a dog or other animal that makes noise in an excessive, continuous or untimely manner for more…
Read full rule →Lexington
Some RestrictionsLexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72 makes it unlawful to keep or harbor any animal, pets included, that…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsMetro code makes habitual, excessive barking a nuisance, and owners must control animals to prevent it or face fines…
Read full rule →Leaf Blower Rules
Restrictions on leaf blowers, including permitted hours, decibel caps, and the growing set of cities phasing out or banning gas-powered blowers outright.
Lexington
Some RestrictionsLexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72 bars running a lawnmower, saw, drill, sander, grinder or other lawn or…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro exempts lawn mowers and other landscaping machinery, including leaf blowers, from the noise ordinance…
Read full rule →Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Rules for loudspeakers, live bands, DJ equipment, and outdoor music at homes, venues, and events, decibel limits, permitted hours, and when an amplified-sound permit is required.
Campbell County
Significant RestrictionsOutdoor dining spots in Campbell County's NC and Rural Commercial zones can run amplified music or entertainment only…
Read full rule →Lexington
Significant RestrictionsLexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72 bans any loudspeaker, PA system or mobile sound vehicle used to amplify…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro bans sound amplifying equipment and live music at outdoor restaurant dining areas between 10 p.m. and…
Read full rule →Decibel Limits
The decibel thresholds cities enforce, usually as a table by zone and time of day, residential, commercial, and industrial limits, how noise is measured, and what happens at the property line.
Campbell County
Some RestrictionsCampbell County's performance standards cap continuous noise from any land use at 55 decibels daytime and 50 at night…
Read full rule →Lexington
Some RestrictionsContractors and demolition crews in Lexington-Fayette cannot run construction, drilling or demolition tools overnight…
Read full rule →Louisville
Light RestrictionsLouisville Metro has no citywide table of maximum decibels by zoning district or time of day. Noise is judged by…
Read full rule →Vehicle Noise
Rules about loud vehicle exhaust, modified mufflers, racing engines, and stereos audible at distance. Covers what officers measure and typical fines.
Lexington
Significant RestrictionsLexington-Fayette bans engine brakes, compression brakes ('Jake brakes') and other mechanical exhaust devices that…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro bans loud car stereos, defective mufflers, and unnecessary horn use that create unreasonably loud…
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