Noise ordinances › Louisville, KY

Louisville noise ordinance: quiet hours, limits and complaints

Last updated: August 11, 2026

Quiet hours in Louisville

Chapter 99 contains no blanket night-time quiet-hours clause. The plainly-audible-at-50-feet standard applies around the clock, and the time of day is only one of nine factors an officer weighs under section 99.03(A), which lists "The time of day or night the noise occurs" alongside volume, intensity, background noise, proximity to homes, zoning, density, duration and whether the noise is recurrent. What functions as night-time protection is that three exemptions expire: construction or demolition activity is exempt only "between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M." (99.03(B)(3)), lawn mowers and other landscaping machinery only "between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M." (99.03(B)(5)), and refuse collection only "between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M." (99.03(B)(13)). Outside those windows the activity loses its exemption and is judged by the ordinary plainly-audible test. Separately, the Louisville-Jefferson County Land Development Code section 4.1.6 bans, for activities within 100 feet of residentially zoned or residentially used property: garbage and recyclables collection between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., loading or unloading (including idling of heavy or medium trucks for loading) between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and exterior construction activity between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. LDC 4.1.6(A)(2) adds that the current Metro noise ordinance also applies to those activities. Note that LDC 4.1.6 is a development standard aimed at commercial-type operations near homes, not a general curfew on residents.

Decibel limits — or rather, the lack of them

There is no general decibel limit in Louisville, and no dB table that varies by zoning district or time of day. The whole of Chapter 99 contains exactly one decibel figure: section 99.02(B)(7) makes it a violation to use or operate "any portable generator which exceeds decibel levels of 70 dBA by any vehicle." That is a single source-specific rule about generators, not a citywide ceiling, and the ordinance sets out no measurement method, meter class or measurement location for it. The zoning code adds no district-wide number either: the Land Development Code's general noise section (4.1.4) is expressly reserved and states that noise standards "may be drafted as part of a later phase" if regulation in addition to the existing noise ordinance is deemed necessary. But reserved does not mean the Land Development Code is free of decibel figures. Four conditional-use and development standards attach a measured cap to a particular use: LDC 4.2.5(B) allows a commercial ATV course in the C-2 and C-M districts only on a noise impact study showing levels at any perimeter adjoining residentially zoned property do not exceed 50 dB(A); LDC 4.2.37(C) requires an applicant for a non-emergency generator or non-accessory alternative energy system to keep the noise level at the property line to 65 dBa or below; LDC 4.2.64(G) applies that same 65 dBa property-line cap to biodigesters in M-3; and LDC 5.1.7(E)(5) lets development in the non-metropolitan area escape the 250-foot residential setback from an expressway only on a noise study showing levels are, or can be reduced to, less than 65 dBA (Leq). Each of those binds an applicant seeking a permit for that specific use and is enforced through the Board of Zoning Adjustment or the Planning Commission, not against a neighbour playing music. So if you are asking what level you personally can be cited at, there is no number: the test is plain audibility at 50 feet.

What the ordinance actually says

§ 99.01: "UNREASONABLY LOUD, HARSH, or EXCESSIVE NOISE. Any manufactured noise plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from its point of origination or emanation."

§ 99.01: "PLAINLY AUDIBLE. Capable of being distinctly heard by a person with normal hearing."

§ 99.02(A): "It shall be unlawful for any person within Louisville Metro to make, continue, or cause to be made or continued, any unreasonably loud, harsh or excessive noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace, or safety of others, unless the making and continuing of the noise is necessary for the protection or preservation of property or the life, health, or safety of a person or persons."

§ 99.02(B): "The following acts are hereby declared to be unreasonably loud, harsh or excessive noises in violation of this ordinance, but the enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive:"

§ 99.02(B)(7): "The use or operation of any portable generator which exceeds decibel levels of 70 dBA by any vehicle."

§ 99.02(B)(5): "Creation of any unreasonably loud, harsh, or excessive noise in connection with the loading or unloading of any vehicle, except as provided for in § 99.03(B)(14), or by the operation of any such vehicle;"

§ 99.03(A)(7): "The time of day or night the noise occurs;"

§ 99.03(B)(3): "Noises resulting from construction or demolition activity, provided such activity takes place between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M.;"

§ 99.03(B)(5): "Noises relating to the use of lawn mowers or other machinery for landscaping purposes between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M.;"

§ 99.03(B)(11): "Noises from activities at festivals, entertainment events, parades, and public assemblies, provided a valid permit has been obtained from the Metro Government;"

§ 99.03(B)(13): "Noises relating to the collection of refuse between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M."

§ 99.99(A): "A violation of this chapter shall be classified as a civil offense and shall be enforced through the Code Enforcement Board ("Board") as provided in §§ 32.275 et seq., or as it may be amended."

§ 99.99(B): "Any person violating any section of this chapter shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $250 for a first offense within a two-year period."

Land Development Code 4.1.4 Noise: "NOTE: Section 4.1.4 is reserved. Noise standards may be drafted as part of a later phase of the Land Development Code, if regulation in addition to the existing noise ordinance is deemed necessary."

Land Development Code 4.1.6(A)(1): "The following operating hour restrictions shall apply to all activities listed in subsection B. below that are within 100 feet of: a. Any property that is zoned residential, as established in Chapter 2, Part 2, of this LDC; or b. Any property that contains a residential use."

Land Development Code 4.1.6(B)(1): "Collection of Garbage and Recyclables - No garbage or recyclables collection services shall be conducted between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m."

Land Development Code 4.1.6(B)(3): "Exterior Construction Activity - No exterior construction activity shall be conducted between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m."

§ 91.001 NUISANCE (1)(a): "Allowing or permitting an animal to habitually bark, whine, howl, mew, crow or cackle in an excessive or continual fashion or make other noise in such a manner so as to result in a serious annoyance or interference with the reasonable use and enjoyment of neighboring premises."

Land Development Code 4.2.37(C): "The applicant shall ensure that the noise level at the property line does not exceed 65 dBa. The board may require review by an independent noise professional."

Land Development Code 4.2.5(B): "A noise impact study shall be prepared by an individual or firm with expertise and experience in the field of traffic noise demonstrating that noise levels at any perimeter of the site adjoining residentially zoned property do not exceed 50 dB(A)."

Quoted verbatim from the official codified text (Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, Code of Ordinances, Title IX: General Regulations, Chapter 99: Noise, hosted by American Legal Publishing. The code's currency statement reads: "Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of May 20, 2026." Read in full 11 August 2026. Section 99.01 gives the definitions that carry the whole ordinance, including PLAINLY AUDIBLE ("distinctly heard by a person with normal hearing") and UNREASONABLY LOUD, HARSH, or EXCESSIVE NOISE (manufactured noise plainly audible at 50 feet). Section 99.02(A) is the general prohibition; 99.02(B)(1) through (7) list seven non-exclusive examples: horns sounded for an unreasonable period, vehicle radios and stereos, sound-reproducing devices played louder than necessary for those voluntarily in the room, chamber or vehicle, unmuffled vehicle exhaust, loading and unloading, mobile advertising loudspeakers, and portable generators over 70 dBA. Section 99.03(A) lists the nine factors used to judge a violation and 99.03(B) lists thirteen exemptions, which is where the construction, landscaping and refuse-collection hour windows live. Section 99.98 is severability and 99.99 sets the civil penalty tiers and the Code Enforcement Board process. Amendment history as printed: 99.01 traces to 1994 Jeff. Code § 98.01 (Jeff. Ord. 14-1993; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 212-2003); 99.02 to § 98.02 and 99.03 to § 98.03, both last amended by Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 186-2019, approved 12-2-2019, effective 5-30-2020; 99.98 to 1994 Jeff. Code § 10.07 (Jeff. Ord. 36-1994); 99.99 to § 98.04, last amended by Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 37-2005, approved 3-16-2005. Only 99.02 and 99.03 carry the 2019 amendment. Related provisions outside Chapter 99: section 91.001 (animal NUISANCE definition, which is where barking dogs are handled) and the Louisville-Jefferson County Land Development Code sections 4.1.4 (noise, reserved) and 4.1.6 (operating-hour limits near residential property), and the use-specific decibel standards at 4.2.5(B), 4.2.37(C), 4.2.64(G) and 5.1.7(E)(5), the LDC being a separate code on the same host.). Verified against the live code on 2026-08-11. 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 Louisville

Noise complaints go to the Louisville Metro Police Department, not to 311. LMPD's public FAQ (lmpd.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID=69) says: "To report a noise complaint, please call your Louisville Metro Police Department at 502-574-7111 or 502-574-2111," and a companion FAQ gives the same two numbers for a noisy neighbour with a loud television, stereo or radio, adding that a loud party is best resolved by the officers assigned to the area. An officer who confirms the noise issues a citation under Chapter 99; because 99.99(A) makes it a civil offence, the case is heard by the Code Enforcement Board rather than a criminal court, and under 99.99(C) the person cited can pay the minimum civil penalty within seven days or request a hearing before the Board. Barking dogs and other animal noise are not a Chapter 99 matter: LMPD's SOP 12.24 states that animal complaints such as loud barking are not a violation of the noise ordinance and should be referred to Louisville Metro Animal Services, reachable at (502) 473-7387 (473-PETS), under the section 91.001 nuisance definition. Metro311 (dial 311, or 502-574-5000) is the general non-emergency service-request line for other metro issues, not for noise.

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

Worth knowing

The 50-foot test is limited to "manufactured noise," so it reaches speakers, engines, tools and machinery rather than, on its face, unamplified voices. The list of violations in 99.02(B) is explicitly non-exclusive, so conduct not listed can still violate 99.02(A). The ordinance leans heavily on vehicles: horns sounded for an unreasonable period, car stereos, unmuffled exhaust, mobile advertising loudspeakers and vehicle-mounted portable generators each get their own subsection. But note 99.02(B)(3), which is not vehicle-limited: it reaches any radio, musical instrument, phonograph or other sound-reproducing device played at a louder volume than is necessary for the convenient hearing of people voluntarily in the room, chamber or vehicle, so a neighbour's home stereo is squarely covered. The exemptions in 99.03(B) are broad and are the main thing a complainant runs into. Noise from public recreational facilities, and the ordinance names fairgrounds, sports arenas, sports stadiums, amusement parks and racetracks, is exempt outright, as is noise from public parks and playgrounds and public or private school grounds including school athletic and entertainment events, and noise from activities on property owned or operated by civic, charitable or religious organisations. Festivals, entertainment events, parades and public assemblies are exempt if a valid Metro permit has been obtained, and firework displays if all necessary permits have been obtained, so the permit regime works by removing permitted events from the ordinance rather than by setting a level they must meet. Aircraft operated in conformity with federal law, federal air regulations or air traffic control instructions are exempt, which matters in Louisville because it puts night cargo flights at Louisville Muhammad Ali International beyond the reach of Chapter 99. Transportation, flood control and utility company maintenance and construction operations are exempt at any time on rights-of-way, including snow removal, restoring electrical service, unplugging sewers and house moving. Bona fide farming operations on five or more contiguous acres are exempt. No dB limit applies across a zoning district: the Land Development Code's general noise section is reserved, and LDC 4.1.6 imposes operating-hour limits on garbage collection, loading and exterior construction within 100 feet of residential property. Numbers do appear in the Land Development Code's use-specific standards — 50 dB(A) for commercial ATV courses under 4.2.5(B), 65 dBa at the property line for non-emergency generators under 4.2.37(C) and biodigesters under 4.2.64(G), and 65 dBA Leq for the expressway-setback exception under 5.1.7(E)(5) — but each is a condition on a permit applicant rather than a rule the public is measured against. Penalties escalate within a two-year window: $100 to $250 first offence, $250 to $500 second, $500 to $1,000 third, with each separate occurrence or each day treated as a separate offence. Section 99.99(B) also carries an unusual defence: an owner, lessee or occupant is not liable for another party's offence on the premises if a sign adequately noticeable in size and no larger than 12 square feet is posted warning of noise-pollution liability, and that sign carries no other messages such as advertising. Two codification artefacts, both confirmed in the live text: 99.02(B)(5) cross-references an exemption at "§ 99.03(B)(14)" but the current exemption list ends at (13), and the penalty cross-reference printed at the end of 99.02 still reads "Penalty, see § 98.99," the old Jefferson County numbering. The dangling (B)(14) reference is a casualty of the 2019 amendment: the pre-2019 exemption list ran to fourteen items with refuse collection at (14), and Ordinance 186-2019 merged the old (11) parades/public assemblies with the old (13) rights-of-way festivals and entertainment events into the present (11), pushing refuse collection up to (13) without updating the cross-reference.

Document it before you report it

Louisville enforces mostly by audibility, but a log of measured levels still makes a complaint concrete and credible. 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 Louisville noise map. For time-stamped measurement history you can show a landlord or code officer, the app keeps a log.