Austin noise rules: decibel limits and quiet hours

Short answer

Austin's noise rules (City Code Chapter 9-2) split by who makes the sound. At a home, you never need a permit: the limits are the rule itself. Sound equipment at a residence cannot exceed 75 decibels, and between 10 pm and 10 am nothing may be audible beyond the property line at all. Businesses get a different ceiling: 85 decibels measured at the property line from 10 am to 2 am, and nothing audible at the property line from 2 am to 10 am. Outdoor amplified sound at any commercial or non-residential establishment needs a permit - an Outdoor Music Venue permit for regular or recurring sound, or a Temporary Use of Outdoor Sound Equipment permit for one-time events. ACME's Entertainment Services Group reviews both; questions go to 512-974-2686. If you are on the receiving end, log dates and times and report through Austin 311 - noise is a 311 matter, not 911, unless someone is in danger.

Who this is for

Austin residents planning parties, neighbors dealing with a loud house or venue, and businesses setting up outdoor sound.

The steps, in order

1. Hosting at home? No permit needed. Keep sound equipment under 75 dB and shut down anything audible past the property line at 10 pm.
2. Running a business with outdoor speakers? You need a permit: Outdoor Music Venue for recurring sound, Temporary Use of Outdoor Sound Equipment for a one-time event.
3. Business limits: 85 dB at the property line from 10 am to 2 am; nothing audible at the property line from 2 am to 10 am.
4. Permit questions go to ACME Entertainment Services at 512-974-2686.
5. On the receiving end of noise? Log dates, times, and duration, then report through Austin 311.
6. Festival weekend? The same residential limits apply on your block even when permitted stages are running downtown.

Have this ready

• A sense of the limits: 75 dB is roughly a vacuum cleaner at arm's length
• Dates and times logged if you are reporting
• For venues: the OMV or temporary sound permit application through ACME
• 311 app or 512-974-2000 for reports

Common mistakes to avoid

• Thinking a festival weekend suspends the rules. Residential limits apply every night of the year.
• Measuring loudness at the speaker. The code measures at the property line.
• Businesses assuming 2 am is the cutoff for volume. After 2 am the standard is inaudibility at the property line, not a lower dB number.
• Venues running outdoor sound without a permit. All commercial and non-residential outdoor sound equipment requires one.
• Calling 911 for noise. Noise reports go to 311; save 911 for danger.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a party at my house?

No. Residential sound needs no permit - just stay under 75 dB and keep nothing audible past the property line between 10 pm and 10 am.

What are Austin's quiet hours?

For homes, 10 pm to 10 am: no sound equipment audible beyond the property line. For businesses, nothing audible at the property line from 2 am to 10 am.

How loud can a business be?

Up to 85 decibels measured at the property line between 10 am and 2 am.

Who permits outdoor music at a bar or venue?

ACME's Entertainment Services Group: an Outdoor Music Venue permit for recurring sound or a Temporary Use of Outdoor Sound Equipment permit for one-time events. Call 512-974-2686.

How do I report a noise violation?

Through Austin 311 (app or 512-974-2000) with dates, times, and duration. Keep a log if it is recurring.

Official sources

• Austin City Code Chapter 9-2: Noise and Amplified Sound
• Outdoor Amplified Sound permits (ACME)

Checked August 26, 2026. Recheck the official page monthly and when the official page changes.

Related

• SXSW, ACL, and F1: an Austin resident survival guide
• Report a noise problem in Austin