Shreveport Noise Ordinance Passes – How Does It Compare to Other Cities?
SHREVEPORT, LA - The Shreveport City Council has passed a new noise ordinance for the city which will is much more liberal than almost all other cities in the region. The council has approved a measure to allow sound to be as loud as 85 decibels until 1:59am and 80 decibels from 2am-6:59am.
The City Attorney drafted a noise ordinance that would have restricted the decibel level to 70dbs until 1:59 am and 60 decibels from 2am-6:59am.
But the Council voted 4-3 to approve the more lenient restrictions.
Council members Tabatha Taylor, Alan Jackson, Ursula Bowman and James Green voted for the measure. Councilmen Gary Brooks, Jim Taliaferro and Grayson Boucher voted against the measure. They wanted it to be more restrictive.
What Is Noise Ordinance in Other Cities in Our Region?
Baton Rouge
“The playing of any radio, phonograph, tape, compact disc, musical instrument or any other machine or device capable of producing or reproducing sound, audible at a distance of greater than twenty-five (25) feet which exceeds eighty-five (85) decibels, from a vehicle, on a public street, highway or public park in such a manner, as to disturb the peace, quiet, comfort, or repose of persons in any dwelling, apartment, hotel, or other type of residence; of persons in any other vehicle; or of persons in any public place.”
Dallas
A person commits an offense if he operates or causes to be operated any mechanical loudspeaker or sound amplifier in a public place or upon any public sidewalk, street, alley, or highway of the city in violation of any of the following limitations and requirements:
(1) No mechanical loudspeaker or sound amplifier may be operated within 150 feet of the property line of the premises of a residence, except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and sunset, as designated by publication in a local newspaper of general circulation.
(2) A mechanical loudspeaker or sound amplifier may not emit loud and raucous noise so as to interfere with the enjoyment of life or property or to interfere with public peace and comfort.
New Orleans
It shall be unlawful to operate or play in any public right-of-way, public park, playground or recreational area, any musical instruments, radio, television, phonograph, tapeplayer, cassette player, compact disc player, or any sound device, including but not limited to loudspeakers or other devices reproducing or amplifying sound in such a manner, or with such volume, as to exceed an average of 80 decibels measured at a distance of 50 feet from the sound source.
Tyler, Texas
The noise threshold in all areas of the city is 75 decibels from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and then it lowers in the evening to 63 decibels, from 10:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m.
On the weekends, the 75-decibel threshold is extended to 11 p.m. to allow for businesses and venues to host bands. The downtown area is an exception - it gets an extra hour. In downtown, the noise can be at 75 decibels from 7 a.m.to 11 p.m. on weekdays, and then lower to the 63-decibel threshold. Thursday through Sunday, the noise can stay at 75 decibels until midnight.
Longview, Texas
It is unlawful to make, continue, or cause to be made or continued any loud or raucous noise which:
- Is offensive to persons in the vicinity
- Substantially impairs the peaceable enjoyment of public or private property or
- Causes material distress, discomfort, or injury to persons or ordinary sensibilities in the area
The following acts, among others, are loud and raucous noises and are unlawful:
The playing of any radio, stereo, phonograph, musical instrument, or similar device in such manner or with such volume so as to be heard at least 50 feet away, or so as to offend persons in the vicinity.
Little Rock, Arkansas
The playing of any radio, phonograph, any type of audio equipment, or any musical instrument in such a manner or with such volume, particularly during the hours between 10:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. as to annoy or disturb the quietness, comfort or peace of any persons in or around any office, hospital, or in any dwelling, hotel or other type of residence.
Jackson, Mississippi
It shall be unlawful for any person to emit or cause to be emitted any noise which leaves the premises on which it originates, crosses a property line, and enters onto any other premises in excess of the sound pressure levels during specified time periods. The noise source shall be measured at any point along the property line or within the property line of the receiving premises to determine compliance with this article.
Residential limit is 55 decibels
Commercial limit is 57
Lafayette, Louisiana
No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation of any source of sound on any source property in such a manner as to create a sound level that exceeds the following sound level limits:
Decibel limits are set at 50 for residential areas and 65 decibels for commercial areas and 70 decibels for industrial areas.
This new ordinance goes into effect in Shreveport 7 days after the Mayor signs it.