Noise ordinances › Tempe, AZ

Tempe noise ordinance: quiet hours, limits and complaints

Last updated: October 30, 2026

Documenting this? A dated log of when the noise started, when it stopped and how loud it got is what Tempe acts on. Log noise levels for a complaint — free, runs in your browser, records no audio.

Quiet hours in Tempe

Tempe's noise chapter sets no general quiet hours: the unnecessary-noise rule applies at any hour, and the time of day or night is one of the factors weighed (20-11). The clock rules are for particular sources. Construction (20-8): concrete may be poured and concrete mixing trucks idled each day from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from April 15 to October 15, and from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from October 16 to April 14 (20-8(b)(1)); all other construction or repair work in or within 500 feet of a residential zone may not begin before 6:00 a.m. from April 15 to October 15, or before 7:00 a.m. from October 16 to April 14, and must stop by 7:00 p.m. each day (20-8(b)(2)); in commercial and industrial zones not within 500 feet of a residential zone, work may run from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (20-8(b)(3)). On any Saturday, Sunday or holiday, construction or repair work may not begin before 7:00 a.m. and must stop by 7:00 p.m., and concrete pouring "should not begin prior to 6:00 a.m." and must stop by 7:00 p.m. (20-8(c)). Written authorization obtained beforehand from the City Manager or an authorized representative allows other times, and none is needed for emergency work (20-8(d)). The code's editor's note to 20-8 says a 2025 state law, Senate Bill 1182, codified as A.R.S. § 9-500.52, bars a city from enforcing any noise rule that prohibits general construction done under a validly issued building permit from May 1 to October 15 between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. each business day and between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, and that concrete pouring may start one hour earlier; the text of 20-8 itself, last amended in September 2024, still shows the hours above. Repairing, rebuilding or testing a motor vehicle in a residential area is barred between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. when it causes a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness discomfort or annoyance (20-9(a)). Permits for loudspeakers or sound-amplifying equipment on public property in residential zones are not issued for 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (20-7(a)(3)e), and tests of emergency signaling devices are exempt from Sec. 20-7 when conducted during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (20-7(a)(4)e).

Decibel limits — or rather, the lack of them

No numeric decibel limits in the noise chapter or in the Chapter 5 and Chapter 21 rules read. Ordinance No. O2022.10, adopted March 3, 2022, repealed Sec. 20-5 (measurement criteria) and Sec. 20-6 (allowable noise levels), and no decibel figure or meter procedure remains in Chapter 20. The test is noise that a person makes or permits without justification and that is unnecessary, excessive or offensive and disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood or causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitiveness residing in the area (20-11(a)). The factors weighed include the volume and intensity of the noise, whether its nature is usual or unusual and its origin natural or unnatural, the volume and intensity of the background noise, its proximity to residential sleeping facilities, the nature, zoning and density of the area, the time of day or night, the duration, whether it is recurrent, intermittent or constant, whether it comes from a commercial or noncommercial activity, and whether it is a pure tone or an impulse noise (20-11(b)). The same reasonable-person test governs vehicle repair at night and the operation of motor vehicles (20-9), the power plant exemption (20-4(9)) and the nuisance remedy (20-19). When the City Manager authorizes construction at other hours, the authorization may prescribe permissible noise emissions, but the code states no figure (20-8(d)). Chapter 21 also treats as a nuisance any vibration of such intensity as to interfere substantially and unnecessarily with the use and enjoyment of public or private property, again without a number (21-3(b)(17)).

What the ordinance actually says

§ 20-11(a): "Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and in addition thereto, it shall be unlawful for any person without justification to make or continue, or cause or permit to be made or continued, any unnecessary, excessive or offensive noise which disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood or which causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitiveness residing in the area."

§ 20-6, editor's note: "Ord. No. O2022.10, adopted March 3, 2022, repealed § 20-6, which pertained to allowable noise levels"

§ 20-8(b)(2): "From April 15 to October 15 inclusive, all other construction or repair work shall not begin prior to 6:00 a.m. and must stop by 7:00 p.m. each day in or within five hundred (500) feet of a residential zone or at such other times pursuant to written authorization."

§ 20-9(a): "It shall be unlawful for any person within any residential area of the City to repair, rebuild or test any motor vehicle (between the hours of 10:00 p.m. of one day and 7:00 a.m. of the next day) in such a manner that a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness residing in the area is caused discomfort or annoyance."

§ 20-15(a): "The civil fine/penalty for violating any provision of this chapter shall be not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00)."

§ 5-31: "Nuisance party means an assembly of persons for a social activity or for a special occasion in a manner which constitutes a substantial disturbance of the quiet enjoyment of private or public property. This includes, but is not limited to, excessive noise or traffic, obstruction of public streets by crowds or vehicles, public drunkenness, the service of alcohol to minors, fights, disturbances of the peace and litter."

§ 21-3(b)(19): "The keeping or harboring of any dog or other animal that by frequent or habitual howling, yelping, barking, crowing or the making of other noises, annoys or disturbs a neighborhood or any number of persons; provided, that an action for a violation of this subsection shall not be initiated, unless a petition is received signed by at least two (2) witnesses in separate households with independent knowledge of the nuisance."

Quoted verbatim from the official codified text (Tempe City Code, Chapter 20 Noise, Secs. 20-1 to 20-19: 20-1 declaration of policy, 20-2 definitions, 20-3 violation established, 20-4 exemptions, 20-7 special noise sources, 20-8 construction of buildings and projects, 20-9 vehicles, 20-10 aircraft, 20-11 unnecessary noise, 20-12 commencement of action, 20-15 civil fines and penalties, 20-17 each day separate violations, 20-18 habitual offender, 20-19 nuisance abatement (Code 1967, Chapter 19A; Ord. No. 2000.01, 1-20-00; Ord. No. O2022.10, adopted March 3, 2022, which repealed 20-5, measurement criteria, and 20-6, allowable noise levels; 20-13, 20-14 and 20-16 shown as repealed, with no repealing ordinance named; 20-8 last amended by Ord. No. O2024.19, 9-5-24). Also Chapter 5 Amusements, Article III Nuisance Parties and Unlawful Gatherings, Secs. 5-30 to 5-36 (Ord. No. 94.29, 12-8-94; Ord. No. 2003.29, 10-30-03; Ord. No. 2011.56, 11-3-11; Ord. No. 2013.30, 6-13-13; Ord. No. O2025.15, 5-1-25, which amended 5-32 and 5-34 and is the only history line on 5-36); Chapter 21 Nuisances and Property Enhancement, Sec. 21-3(b)(17) and (19) (history through Ord. No. O2026.20, 5-14-26), Article I-A Community Impact/Chronic Nuisance Properties, Secs. 21-14A to 21-19A (Ord. No. O2025.15, 5-1-25), and Secs. 21-41 and 21-42 (enforcement and penalties). Text read on Municode, the City's code host, on 2026-10-30, when it showed Supplement 34 Update 1, online content updated October 13, 2026.). Verified against the live code on 2026-10-30. 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 Tempe

Call the Tempe Police Department's non-emergency line, 480-350-8311, about a loud or nuisance party (the code has police respond to them, 5-32), and 911 in an emergency; the Police Department's page lists "EMERGENCY: Dial 9-1-1" and "NON-EMERGENCY: Dial 480-350-8311". Tempe 311 (480-350-4311, Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., also online and by app) takes non-emergency city service requests; its page does not mention noise, and it says "For a police non-emergency, please call 480-350-8311." Neither page names a channel for other noise, and the noise chapter does not say which department enforces it; under the code, barking dogs and other Chapter 21 nuisances go to the Community Development Department, and construction outside the permitted hours to the Community Development Director or, for engineering projects, the Public Works Director, who may order the work stopped (21-41, 20-8(f)). A nuisance party is an assembly of persons for a social activity or special occasion that substantially disturbs the quiet enjoyment of private or public property, including by excessive noise (5-31); an officer who responds and finds a threat to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare issues a written notice, and the responsible persons are assessed a police service fee (5-32(a)). A second police response to the same address within 90 days of the first, and a third within 365 days of the second, are charged as second and third responses under the fee schedule (5-32(b)), which is progressive with the number of repeats (5-34(a)), and the fee may be raised a level if minors in possession or consumption, illegal drugs, weapons or felonious conduct are found (5-32(c)); the fee amounts are in a schedule adopted by the City Council, Appendix A, which is not part of the chapter text (5-31, 5-34(a)). The property owner is notified by certified mail, and on request the landlord must give the names of the occupants on the lease (5-32(a)(3)). For a barking dog or other noisy animal, an action may not be started unless a petition is signed by at least two witnesses in separate households with independent knowledge of the nuisance, though the petition may be waived if the circumstances and evidence otherwise support enforcement (21-3(b)(19)). A case under the noise chapter starts with a citation delivered to the occupant of the property, the owner of record or any person responsible (20-12). Penalties: a civil fine of $100 to $1,000 for a noise chapter violation, plus a $50 default penalty for failing to appear; each day is a separate offense; a judgment can become a lien on the owner's property; and a violation after three civil findings within 24 months is charged as a criminal misdemeanor (20-15, 20-17, 20-18). Chapter 21 nuisances carry civil fines under the Council's fine schedule, totaling no more than $2,000 per day for each property, or may be charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor (21-42(b), (c)); a property found responsible for three or more nuisance party or unlawful gathering violations within 12 months can be designated a community impact property, after which each excessive call for service brings a $500 civil penalty (21-14A(a)(2), 21-17A(a)). Sources: https://www.tempe.gov/government/police and https://www.tempe.gov/government/communication-and-marketing/tempe-311 (read in a browser 2026-10-30).

Step by step, with what to log and what to expect after you file: how to file a noise complaint in Tempe. 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) The noise-level rules are gone, but their exemptions remain: Sec. 20-4 still lists uses "exempt from noise level regulations", although the allowable noise levels (20-6) and measurement criteria (20-5) were repealed in 2022. The listed exemptions are air-conditioning equipment working to the manufacturer's specifications; lawn maintenance equipment working to specifications with its mufflers and noise-reducing equipment in use; nonamplified noise from activities such as those planned by school, governmental or community groups; safety signals, warning devices and emergency pressure relief valves; authorized emergency vehicles responding to an emergency; emergency work; the normal operations of railroad trains; church chimes; and power plant equipment in normal operation that does not cause a reasonable person discomfort or annoyance (20-4). Aircraft operated under federal rules, or in distress or an emergency, are exempt from the whole chapter (20-10). (2) Construction hours change with the season: from April 15 to October 15 work near homes may start at 6:00 a.m. and concrete at 5:00 a.m., an hour earlier than the rest of the year, and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays work may not start before 7:00 a.m. (20-8(b), (c)); the weekend concrete rule says pouring "should not begin prior to 6:00 a.m.", where the other start times say "shall not begin prior to" (20-8(c)). The editor's note on 20-8 says state law (A.R.S. § 9-500.52) now protects permitted general construction from 5:00 a.m. on business days from May 1 to October 15, an hour before the 6:00 a.m. start the City's text still shows near homes. (3) After-hours construction needs written authorization from the City Manager or an authorized representative, who weighs factors such as traffic, whether the neighborhood is mainly residential where sleep could be disturbed, economic hardship and the public interest, and may set working times, equipment and permissible noise emissions; it may be revoked on complaints backed by substantial evidence of significant disturbance, and any person aggrieved may appeal to the City Council (20-8(d), (e)); work that violates the section can be stopped by written order (20-8(f)). (4) Loudspeakers and sound-amplifying equipment on public property, including the public right-of-way, in a residential zone need a temporary permit from the special events task force, applied for through the City Special Events Office at least ten days ahead; no permit is issued within 50 feet of a school, courthouse, place of worship, hospital or similar institution, for a vehicle in transit, or for 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Law enforcement personnel and government agencies acting within the scope of their employment are not covered, and warning devices, activities on public or private school grounds, authorized public utility, transportation, flood control, construction or maintenance operations, and outdoor public gatherings on city-owned property that require a special events permit are exempt (20-7(a)(1) to (4)). (5) Outside residential zones, noise on a street, sidewalk or public place next to a school, church or hospital that unreasonably interferes with the institution's work, or disturbs or unduly annoys hospital patients, is barred where conspicuous signs mark the area (a school or church only while in use), as is noise detrimental to the public, such as noise that diverts the attention of pedestrians or drivers in public streets, parks and places (20-7(b)). (6) Vehicles: any motor vehicle operated so as to cause a reasonable person residing in the area discomfort or annoyance is covered at any time and under any condition of grade, load, acceleration or deceleration (20-9(b)); the definition of motor vehicles covers licensed or unlicensed vehicles, minibikes, go-carts and motorcycles (20-2). (7) Noise violations can also be abated as a nuisance under Chapter 21, in addition to or instead of a citation (20-19). (8) Who pays for a nuisance party: "responsible person" covers anyone in attendance, including the owner, occupant, tenant, a tenant's guest and any sponsor, host or organizer, and the parents or guardians of a juvenile, but not an owner or person in charge where the guests got in by illegal entry or trespass (5-31); all responsible persons are jointly and severally liable for the fee (5-34(b)). An owner is charged only if present or aware and took no reasonable action, if a repeat party with the same responsible persons, sponsors or hosts follows within 90 days of the City's notice to the owner, or if the owner or landlord fails to provide the occupants' names, and the City must waive some or all of an owner's fee on proof of too little time to prevent the party or of reasonable steps against future disturbances (5-34(c), (d)). (9) Unlawful gatherings, where alcohol is served to or held or consumed by anyone under 21 or illegal drugs are held or consumed by anyone, can bring a fee on any response, and for a first response the responsible person may be eligible for a substance use education class instead (5-31, 5-33). (10) Appeals: a first-response fee within 365 days goes to the police commander for the area, then to an administrative review hearing before the City Manager or designee if requested in writing within 10 days; a second or later fee goes to the City court, with a notice of appeal filed within 15 days (5-34(g), (h)); at the hearing the City must prove the fee by a preponderance of the evidence (5-36(c)). (11) A community impact designation ends automatically after 36 months without an excessive call for service, and owners or tenants of a high risk property may be required to enter a security agreement or security plan within 30 days of notice (21-16A, 21-18A(c)). (12) Barking dog cases need a petition from at least two witnesses in separate households, unless the circumstances and evidence otherwise support enforcement (21-3(b)(19)).

Document it before you report it

Tempe has no decibel limit and asks only whether the noise is unreasonable, 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 Tempe noise map. For time-stamped measurement history you can show a landlord or code officer, the app keeps a log.