Noise ordinances › Garland, TX

Garland noise ordinance: quiet hours, limits and complaints

Last updated: October 5, 2026

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Quiet hours in Garland

The § 22.69 table drops at night, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., every day of the week: residential L10 65 to 60 dBA and L90 55 to 50 dBA; commercial/agricultural L10 72 to 67 and L90 62 to 57; industrial stays at 85 / 75. Clock bans in § 22.70(A): operating power equipment in residential zones outdoors from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. the following day ((A)(5)); flying engine-powered model aircraft or firing model rockets or similar noise-producing devices in a residential area from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. ((A)(7)); collecting garbage, waste or refuse from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in or within 300 feet of an area zoned residential, unless a permit of variance is obtained ((A)(8)); sweeping, blowing or vacuuming nonresidential property with mechanical devices from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. within 500 feet of an area zoned residential, unless a variance is obtained ((A)(12)). The intentional outdoor sounding of a fire, burglar or civil defense alarm, siren, whistle or similar stationary emergency signaling device for more than five minutes during any consecutive 60-minute period is a violation, except as § 22.74 exempts ((A)(10)). The article sets no construction-specific hours: equipment used in commercial construction, repair, alteration or demolition work is held at all hours to the industrial limits (85 L10 / 75 L90) at the receiving property boundary and to the unreasonable-disturbance standard ((A)(4)), while the separate 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. rule in (A)(5) covers any power equipment operated outdoors in residential zones.

Decibel limits

Yes. § 22.69: no person may operate a stationary source that creates an L1 (the level exceeded 1 percent of the time) "greater than fifteen (15) dbA above the ambient sound pressure level (L90) as set forth in the table below in any residential use zone," or an L10 or L90 above these limits for the RECEIVING land use district, measured at the property boundary over a period of not less than 10 nor more than 30 minutes: Residential L10 65 dBA / L90 55 dBA (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and 60 / 50 (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.); Commercial/Agricultural 72 / 62 and 67 / 57; Industrial 85 / 75 day and night. Where a source can be measured in more than one land use category, the most restrictive limits apply at the boundary and within the most restrictive category. In a multifamily or multitenant building the property boundary is the wall between the noise source and the neighboring tenant (§ 22.66). Measurement uses a Type II or better sound level meter on the A-weighting network under ANSI standards and Health Department procedures (§ 22.68). Source-specific figures: outdoor power equipment rated 5 horsepower or less may not exceed 74 dBA at 50 feet, and over 5 horsepower 82 dBA at 50 feet (§ 22.70(A)(5)); a loudspeaker or other source of sound in a place of public entertainment that produces maximum sound pressure levels of 100 dBA (slow response) at a point normally occupied by the customer may not be operated unless a conspicuous and legible hearing-damage warning is posted near each public entrance, and the sign does not allow levels that violate § 22.69 (§ 22.70(A)(6)); motor vehicles on a public right-of-way may not exceed 80 dBA (GVWR or GCWR under 10,000 pounds) or 96 dBA (motor carrier vehicles of 10,000 pounds or more) at 25 feet, in the table's column for posted speed limits of 40 mph or less (§ 22.71(A)). Alongside the meter rules, animals, radios and similar devices, exterior loudspeakers, commercial construction equipment, power equipment in residential zones and commercial or industrial mechanical operations also violate § 22.70(A) when they "unreasonably disturb or interfere with" the peace, comfort and repose of neighbors of ordinary sensibilities, and § 22.70(B) presumes that for animals, sound devices and exterior loudspeakers when heard in a residential area 50 feet or more from the closest property line of the source property. Vehicle sound systems are separately barred from being heard 50 feet or more from the vehicle (§ 26.09(A)).

What the ordinance actually says

§ 22.69: "It shall be a violation of this article for any person to operate or permit to be operated any stationary source or sources of sound which create or creates a unit percentile sound level (L1) greater than fifteen (15) dbA above the ambient sound pressure level (L90) as set forth in the table below in any residential use zone, or creates a tenth percentile sound level (L10) or a ninetieth percentile sound level (L90) which exceeds the limits set forth in the table below for the receiving land use districts when measured at the property boundary."

§ 22.70(B): "If any sound listed in subsections (A)(1), (A)(2), or (A)(3) above can be heard in a residential area at a distance of 50 feet or more from the closest property line of the property where the sound originates, there shall be a presumption that the sound unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort and repose of neighboring persons of ordinary sensibilities."

§ 22.70(A)(5): "Operating or permitting to be operated any power equipment in residential zones outdoors between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day."

§ 22.66(B), "Property boundary": "In a multifamily dwelling or other multitenant structure, the property boundary shall be the wall between a noise source and a neighboring tenant."

§ 26.09(A): "No person shall operate or permit the operation of any sound amplification system from or near a vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, so that the sound can be heard at a distance of 50 feet or more from the vehicle."

§ 22.77: "The City Health Department shall have primary enforcement responsibility for the provisions of this article."

Quoted verbatim from the official codified text (City of Garland Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22 "Health," Article V "Noise Control," §§ 22.65 to 22.79: § 22.65 Declaration of policy, § 22.66 Definitions and standards, § 22.67 Administration of program, § 22.68 Noise measurement generally, § 22.69 Limitations on environmental sound levels, § 22.70 Specific noises prohibited, § 22.71 Motor vehicles, motorcycles, § 22.72 Airport and aircraft operations, § 22.73 Residential air-conditioning, ventilation, and heating devices, § 22.74 Emergency or public service work, public utility operations, § 22.75 Public and private project review, § 22.76 Variance permits, § 22.77 Enforcement responsibility, § 22.78 Inspection authority, § 22.79 Article violations; penalty (Ordinance 5544, sec. 1, adopted 3/20/01; § 22.70 amended by Ordinance 5733 (5/20/03), Ordinance 6330 (7/21/09) and Ordinance 7492 (12/12/2023)). Related: Chapter 26, § 26.09 "Sound amplification on vehicles" (as amended by Ordinance 7619 adopted 9/2/2025) and § 10.05 (general penalty). eCode360: "Includes legislation through Ord. No. 7697 adopted August 17, 2026." Text read on 2026-10-05.). Verified against the live code on 2026-10-05. Ordinances get amended — before acting on a specific provision, check the linked official code. This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.

How to file a noise complaint in Garland

Per the City of Garland FAQ (Police - Communications Unit, "How do I report a non-emergency?"): "The non-emergency number is 972-485-4840," and the examples of non-emergencies given include "barking dogs"; emergencies, call 911. The Garland Police FAQ (Police - Records) adds that a police report can be filed by calling "the non-emergency number at 972-485-4840 or the Police Service Desk at 972-205-2018," or in person at 1891 Forest Lane. Under the code, the City Health Department administers the noise program and has primary enforcement responsibility (§§ 22.67, 22.77); its authorized representatives may inspect with the owner's permission, stop vehicles suspected of violating the article and issue a notice of violation, an abatement order or a class C misdemeanor citation (§ 22.78), and variances are decided by the Health director (§ 22.76). The City's Environmental Health page lists 972-205-3460 (1720 Commerce St.) but does not mention noise. Sources: https://www.garlandtx.gov/FAQ.aspx and https://www.garlandpolice.com/m/faq?cat=121 and https://www.garlandtx.gov/669/Environmental-Health.

Step by step, with what to log and what to expect after you file: how to file a noise complaint in Garland. For the general playbook — documenting the problem, talking to a landlord or HOA, when 311 beats 911 — see the noise complaints guide.

Worth knowing

(1) Statistical limits: Garland regulates percentiles over a 10- to 30-minute measurement (L10, the level exceeded 10 percent of the time, and L90, the background level exceeded 90 percent of the time) plus an L1 spike rule in residential zones, so a single instantaneous reading does not show a violation. § 22.66 defines the ambient sound level as the measured L90 over 10 to 30 minutes, but the L1 rule's reference point is worded "the ambient sound pressure level (L90) as set forth in the table below," so the code does not say plainly whether it means the measured ambient or the table's L90 figure. (2) Limits are set for the RECEIVING land use and measured at the property boundary; in apartments and other multitenant buildings that boundary is the shared wall (§ 22.66). (3) Two standards run side by side: most items in § 22.70(A) are violations either when they exceed the § 22.69 levels or when they unreasonably disturb neighbors, and for animals, sound devices and exterior loudspeakers (§ 22.70(A)(1)-(3)) the 50-foot rule in § 22.70(B) creates a presumption of unreasonableness. As printed, the exterior-loudspeaker item covers loudspeakers or sound-amplifying equipment "in a fixed or movable position mounted upon any vehicle in or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, park, place, or public property" used for commercial advertising, instructions, talks or music, so read literally it reaches only vehicle-mounted equipment. (4) No construction curfew: commercial construction equipment is held at any hour to the industrial levels at the receiving boundary and to the unreasonable-disturbance standard, unless a permit of variance is first obtained (§ 22.70(A)(4)); power equipment used outdoors in residential zones still falls under the 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. rule in § 22.70(A)(5). (5) Residential air conditioners, ventilation and heating units may exceed the § 22.69 levels if properly maintained, within manufacturer or comparable levels, and approved by the Director of Health (§ 22.73). (6) Exemptions: emergency and public service work, including public utility operations, and "The C. E. Newman Plant will be specifically exempt from the provisions of this article" (§ 22.74); airport and aircraft operations follow federal EPA and FAA rules (§ 22.72); loudspeakers on an otherwise lawfully operating ice cream truck are excepted from the exterior-loudspeaker rule (§ 22.70(A)(3)). (7) Vibration above the perception threshold of any individual at or beyond the property boundary (or 50 feet from a source on public space or right-of-way) is a violation (§ 22.70(A)(9)); motorboats are held to the § 22.69 levels at the receiving property boundary (§ 22.70(A)(11)). (8) Vehicles: exhaust systems need a working muffler with no cutout or bypass, tire squealing is banned except in emergency braking, and off-road vehicles must meet § 22.69 at the receiving boundary (§ 22.71(B)-(D)). Car stereos fall under § 26.09: heard at 50 feet or more is a violation, the vehicle's operator or owner present, an owner or tenant of the property present, an absent owner or tenant who has not taken at least three listed preventive steps, and the registered owner are all rebuttably presumed responsible, and the minimum fines are $100 for a first conviction, $200 for a second and $500 for a third (§ 26.09(B), (D)); it is an affirmative defense that the system was used to request assistance, to warn of a hazard, on a vehicle in a permitted special event, or on a vehicle on private property where the sound cannot be heard from any adjoining public or private property (§ 26.09(C)). (9) Variances are granted by the Health director "with respect to time for compliance," on a detailed compliance schedule, weighing the nuisance, nearby land uses, remedial time and cost, equipment life and the public interest (§ 22.76); public and private projects (any activity needing a building permit other than building or altering a single-family dwelling) go through a noise review by the director, who may require studies and noise attenuation (§§ 22.66, 22.75). (10) Short-term rentals: a violation of the noise article, or of § 26.09 on or within 50 feet of the rental's property line by a vehicle of a resident, guest or owner, is "Prohibited Conduct" by an owner, manager, operator, host, resident, guest, patron, invitee or client of a short-term rental while on the premises (§ 26.64(A)(1)-(2)). (11) Penalty: § 22.79 refers to § 10.05, which caps fines at $2,000 for an ordinance governing fire safety, zoning, or public health and sanitation and at $500 for any other ordinance, each day or portion of a day a separate offense (§ 10.05(A)-(B)); the code does not say which cap applies to the noise article, which sits in Chapter 22 "Health," and § 22.78 speaks of a "class c misdemeanor citation."

Document it before you report it

Garland's limits are measured numbers, so a reading is direct evidence of how loud it really is. Take a quick reading with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser and records nothing — and check how loud your block is on the Garland noise map. For time-stamped measurement history you can show a landlord or code officer, the app keeps a log.