Noise ordinances › Laredo, TX

Laredo noise ordinance: quiet hours, limits and complaints

Last updated: October 5, 2026

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Quiet hours in Laredo

Article XI sets no general quiet hours: the 55 dB(A) rules for radios, instruments, loudspeakers and similar devices in § 21-217(2) apply at every hour, and the general noise-nuisance test in § 21-216 lists "the time of the day or night the noise occurs" and "the proximity of the noise to sleeping facilities" among the factors. Two clock rules: (1) pile drivers, pneumatic hammers, hoists, chain saws, log chippers, hand power tools, lawn mowers, blowers, lawn and garden tools, power fans, internal combustion engines and similar appliances that can be heard outside a building and are attended by loud or unusual noise may not be operated after 8:00 p.m. through 7:00 a.m.; from 7:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. they may not exceed 75 dB(A) at the nearest residential property receiving the sound (§ 21-217(7)a); (2) construction, excavation, demolition, alteration or repair work, and the tools and equipment used for it, may not be conducted after 8:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m., and at any hour the 30-minute average may not exceed 65 dB(A) measured from the closest public street, except in cases of urgent necessity in the interest of public health and safety (§ 21-217(8)). "Daytime hours" are defined as 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (§ 21-211); they matter only for the defenses for church bells or chimes used as part of a religious observance or service and for clock or school bells or chimes (no more than five continuous minutes in any one-hour period), and for ice cream vending vehicle bells or chimes (§ 21-221(7)). A limited sound amplification permit is valid for one 14-hour period between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and permitted equipment may not be operated after 10:00 p.m. through 8:00 a.m. (§ 21-231).

Decibel limits

Yes, for named sources (§ 21-217, each a "prima facie noise nuisance"), all A-weighted on the slow meter response with a calibrated Type 1 or Type 2 meter and windscreen (§§ 21-211, 21-222): car stereos and similar amplification in or about a vehicle, 55 dB(A) "or greater" measured 10 feet or more from the vehicle ((2)a.1); sound devices on private property, 55 dB(A) or greater measured from the public street closest to the source or, if the police department has received a complaint, from anywhere within the complainant's adjoining or nearby property with the officer's permission to enter ((2)c); sound devices outside a public building in public places, 55 dB(A) or greater at 10 feet or more from the source ((2)d); power tools and lawn equipment by day, above 75 dB(A) at the nearest residential receiving property ((7)a); air conditioning units, above 55 dB(A) on residential property or 65 dB(A) on nonresidential property, measured at or near 15 feet from the unit ((7)b); construction by day, a 30-minute average above 65 dB(A) at the closest public street, read in five-minute intervals ((8)); a limited sound amplification permit allows up to 65 dB(A) (§ 21-231). The 55 dB(A) device figures in § 21-217(2) have no separate night value and do not vary by zone. Everything else falls under § 21-216: a "noise nuisance" is "any disturbing, excessive or offensive noise which annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness," weighed on characteristics and conditions that "should include, but not be limited to" nine listed ones, among them the level of the noise, the ambient noise, the proximity to sleeping facilities, the zoning of the source and receiving areas, the time of day or night and the duration (§ 21-216(c)). Other prima facie nuisances without numbers: unnecessary or unreasonably loud horns, sound trucks, radios on transit buses audible to other riders, animals, hawkers in residential zones, excessive noise on a street or sidewalk next to a school, court, church or library in use, or next to a hospital, rest home or long-term care facility, that unreasonably interferes with or unduly annoys its occupants, and exhaust from a stationary internal combustion engine or motor vehicle discharged other than through a muffler or similar device, or vehicles so out of repair or so loaded as to make loud and unnecessary grating, grinding or rattling noise (§ 21-217(1)-(6)).

What the ordinance actually says

§ 21-216(a)-(b): "It shall be unlawful for any person to make, assist in making, continue or allow or cause to be made or continued within the limits of the city, and five thousand (5,000) feet beyond the limits any noise nuisance. ... For purposes of this article, the phrase "noise nuisance" is any disturbing, excessive or offensive noise which annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness."

§ 21-217(2)c: "The production or reproduction of a sound or vibration from the use or operation of a production or reproduction device, radio receiving set, musical instrument, drum, phonograph, television, compact disc player, machine, computer, loudspeaker, sound amplifier or other similar machines on private property which has a fifty-five (55) dB(A) sound level or greater when measured according to section 21-222 and from either of the following locations: 1. From the public street closest to such location where the sound is being emitted; or 2. If a complaint has been received by the police department, anywhere from within the complainant's property which complainant owns, leases or occupies if such property is adjoining or in close proximity to the location of where the sound is being emitted and if the police officer has been given permission to enter upon such complainant's property."

§ 21-217(2)a.1: "The production or reproduction of sound or vibration from amplification in, on or about an automobile, truck, motorcycle or any other similar vehicle when measured at a distance of ten (10) feet or greater from such vehicle according to section 21-222 which has a fifty-five (55) dB(A) sound level or greater."

§ 21-217(8): "The construction, excavation, demolition, alteration, or repair work, or the permitting or causing thereof, of any building or other structure, or the operation or the permitting or causing the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, excavation, drilling, demolition, alteration or repair work, if such work is conducted after 8:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m., or the average noise level over a thirty (30) minute period exceeds a sixty-five (65) dB(A) sound level when measured from the closest public street in five (5) minute intervals according to section 21-222, except in cases of urgent necessity in the interest of public health and safety."

§ 21-223: "Any person who violates any provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) or more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). Upon a second or subsequent conviction for a violation of this chapter within a twelve-month period, such person shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). Each day that any violation continues shall constitute a separate offense."

Quoted verbatim from the official codified text (Code of Ordinances, City of Laredo, Texas, Chapter 21 "Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions," Article XI "Noise Nuisances": Division 1 Generally (§ 21-211 Definitions, § 21-212 Applicability), Division 2 Noise Restricted (§ 21-216 Noise nuisance prohibited, § 21-217 Noise nuisance enumeration), Division 3 Violations and Enforcement (§ 21-221 Defenses, § 21-222 Method of sound measurement, § 21-223 Penalty, § 21-224 Manner of enforcement), Division 4 Permits (§ 21-231 Limited sound amplification permits). Ord. No. 98-078, § 1, 3-16-98; § 21-231 amended by Ord. No. 2011-O-173, 12-5-11. Municode: "Codified through Ordinance No. 2026-O-92, adopted May 4, 2026. (Supp. No. 23, Update 3)". 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 Laredo

The City of Laredo 311 Program page describes 311 as "a non-emergency phone number that citizens can call to find information about City and County services, make complaints, or report problems like graffiti or road damage," says "For service requests please dial 311," prints (956) 721-2480 for the 311 Program (801 Garden St), and states "The City of Laredo 311 Center is open 7 days a week, 7am to 11pm." The same page says requests can be sent anytime through the City's online portal (laredotx.mycusthelp.com) and through the City's 311 mobile app for Apple iOS and Android; it does not mention noise. The City's Find a Service page lists the 311 Call Center as "956-721-2480 / 311" and the Police Department, 4712 Maher Ave., at 956-795-2800; the Police Department page lists the Front Desk Officer/Lobby at (956) 795-2828 and (956) 795-2829 and the Watch Commander at (956) 795-3134, (956) 795-3135 and (956) 795-3136. None of these pages names a number for noise complaints. The code expects police involvement: once "a complaint has been received by the police department," an officer may measure from inside the complainant's property with permission (§ 21-217(2)c.2), and § 21-224 lets law enforcement seek voluntary compliance by warning, notice or educational means. Limited sound amplification permits come from the director of the parks and leisure services department (§ 21-231(b)(1)). Sources: https://www.cityoflaredo.com/departments/information-services-telecommunication/311-call-center and https://www.cityoflaredo.com/services and https://www.cityoflaredo.com/departments/police-department/.

Step by step, with what to log and what to expect after you file: how to file a noise complaint in Laredo. 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) "Or greater" matters: the § 21-217(2) device rules are met at 55 dB(A) itself (a reading of exactly 55 counts), while the power-tool, air-conditioner and construction rules use "exceeding" or "exceeds." (2) The private-property reading is taken from the nearest public street, not the property line; a reading from inside a neighbor's property is allowed only after a complaint to the police and with that neighbor's permission for the officer to enter (§ 21-217(2)c). (3) Reach: the prohibition covers noise nuisances within the city limits "and five thousand (5,000) feet beyond the limits" (§ 21-216(a)). (4) The general nuisance article does not apply: § 21-212 says Article II "Nuisances" of Chapter 21 does not apply to the noise article. (5) Animals: frequent or long-continued noise that annoys a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness in the vicinity, or animal noise that disturbs two or more residents of separate residences adjacent to the property, or three or more in separate residences in close proximity, is a prima facie nuisance (§ 21-217(3)). (6) Defenses (§ 21-221): emergencies and emergency vehicles, utility and post-disaster work, lawfully scheduled stadium events, permitted parades, lawfully scheduled outdoor events, city-sponsored or permitted events, cannon and gunfire at permitted historical reenactments, First Amendment-protected expression, aircraft and railroad operations, sound under a § 21-231 permit, church bells or chimes used as part of a religious observance or service and clock or school bells or chimes, in daytime hours and for no more than five continuous minutes in any one-hour period, and ice cream vehicle chimes in daytime hours. (7) Permits (§ 21-231): a limited sound amplification permit from the director of the parks and leisure services department costs a $10 administrative fee, covers one 14-hour period between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., may not be issued for the same location more than twice in 30 days, allows only music or human speech, caps volume at 65 dB(A) and does not cover streets. (8) Penalty (§ 21-223): a misdemeanor fine of $50 to $500, rising to a $100 minimum on a second or later conviction within 12 months, each day a separate offense; § 21-224 allows warnings, notice or education first. (9) Age: apart from the 2011 permit amendment, Article XI is the text of Ord. No. 98-078 (March 16, 1998). The City Council took up "amplified sound and noise regulations in residential areas" on May 4, 2026 (Legistar file 26-C-70), when it passed a motion for management to work with the Police Department and the legal department and bring back recommendations, and again as an update on June 15, 2026 (file 26-1158, "no action taken"); the codified text through Ord. No. 2026-O-92 contains no amendment to the article, and no amending ordinance appeared in a search of the City's Legistar records on 2026-10-05.

Document it before you report it

Laredo'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 Laredo noise map. For time-stamped measurement history you can show a landlord or code officer, the app keeps a log.