Houston noise rules at a glance
- Governing code: Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 30 (Noise and Sound Level Regulation)
- Quiet hours: 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM for most permitted amplified sound
- How violations are judged: Measured decibel limits
- Complaints: 311
How Houston decides what counts as too loud
Houston sets numeric limits measured at the receiving property and runs a permit system for amplified outdoor sound, with different caps depending on permit type.
Noise limits in Houston
| Applies to | Daytime | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial establishment, measured at receiving property | 68 dBA at commercial property; 58 dBA at residential property | Same caps, with permit hours ending at 10:00 PM (11:00 PM Fri–Sat for some permits) |
| Amplified sound permit | Up to 75 dBA during permitted hours | Not permitted outside prescribed hours |
What's specific to Houston
- Chapter 30 was substantially amended effective September 6, 2022 — guidance published before then may be out of date.
- A permit can be suspended or revoked after two or more convictions within 36 months, so documented repeat complaints carry real weight.
What Houston residents most often report
- Permitted commercial establishments exceeding their 58 dBA residential-receiving cap.
- Unpermitted amplified outdoor sound, which has no allowance at all.
- Vehicle audio systems, enforced separately by HPD.
How to measure it in Houston
Measure from your own property, not from the boundary of the business making the noise — Houston's caps are written as levels at the receiving property. If the source holds a sound permit, the applicable number depends on which permit type it holds, so note the time of day precisely: permitted hours end at 10:00 PM for most permits and 11:00 PM Friday and Saturday for others.
Record levels with the free online decibel meter, and log the date, start time and duration with each reading. A phone microphone is accurate to roughly ±2 dB and is not a calibrated instrument — enough to establish a pattern, not enough for an enforcement hearing.
Penalties in Houston
Two or more convictions within 36 months can trigger suspension or revocation of the establishment's sound permit.
How to file a noise complaint in Houston
Houston 311 routes to the Administration and Regulatory Affairs department, which administers the sound permits and enforcement.
Sources
Municipal codes are amended regularly and enforcement practice varies by neighbourhood and agency. This page summarises the code as of 2026-08-02 and is not legal advice — confirm against the linked code before relying on any figure, and consult a lawyer for a dispute.
Noise ordinances in other metros
See all US metro noise ordinances or read how many decibels is too loud.