Noise Ordinance in Tennessee (TN)
Tennessee has lenient enforcement of noise regulations. Tennessee does not have a statewide noise statute. Noise regulation is handled at the city and county level. The typical residential nighttime noise limit is No dB limit, with quiet hours from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Fines for violations range from $50-$500.
Noise Regulations in Tennessee
Overview
Tennessee has no statewide noise statute. Noise is regulated locally. Nashville's entertainment district is notably permissive, while residential areas have standard protections.
Residential Noise Limits
Tennessee has no single statewide residential decibel limit — noise rules are set city by city. Check the city table below for local limits; many Tennessee cities use a "plainly audible" or nuisance standard instead of specific decibel measurements.
Quiet hours — the period when stricter nighttime limits apply — run from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM in most Tennessee jurisdictions. During these hours, activities that generate noise above the nighttime limit may result in a citation. Exemptions typically apply to emergency services, emergency repairs, and certain agricultural operations.
Construction Noise
Construction in Tennessee is generally permitted from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays. Some cities allow Saturday construction with shorter hours (often 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), while Sunday and holiday construction is typically prohibited in residential areas. Emergency construction and utility repairs are usually exempt from time restrictions.
Fines and Penalties
Noise ordinance violations in Tennessee typically carry fines ranging from $50-$500. First-time offenders usually receive a warning or the minimum fine. Repeat offenders face escalating penalties. In some jurisdictions, chronic noise violations can be classified as misdemeanors, and equipment generating the noise may be subject to seizure. Commercial establishments that repeatedly violate noise codes may face license suspension or revocation.
State Law
Tennessee does not have a comprehensive statewide noise statute. Noise regulation is left to individual cities and counties, which means rules can vary significantly between neighboring jurisdictions. If you live in Tennessee, check your specific city or county code for the noise rules that apply to your location. The data below covers the major cities in Tennessee.
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City Noise Ordinances in Tennessee
The following table shows noise ordinance details for 4 cities in Tennessee. City-level rules may be stricter than the state standard. Click the city name for specific details.
| City | Day Limit | Night Limit | Quiet Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | No dB limit | No dB limit | 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM | Nashville Metro Code Title 9, Chapter 9.20 (Excessive Noise) governs noise: §9.20.010 covers sound amplification with a DTC/CF exemption, §9.20.030 covers outdoor entertainment near residences (plainly audible from the boundary of the nearest residentially occupied property is unlawful; amplified entertainment within 50 ft of a residence may play outdoors only 7 AM-11 PM), and §9.20.040 covers commercial noise. Downtown/Broadway speaker limits: 85 dB(A) business hours / 70 dB(A) off-hours. (Metro Code 11.12.070 is now only a cross-reference to Chapter 9.20.) |
| Memphis | No dB limit | No dB limit | 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM | Memphis noise regulation is nuisance/audibility-based (no decibel table); quiet hours 11:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. The current chapter citation is unconfirmed following the city's 2022 full code recodification (Ordinance 5769) — the previously-stored "Chapter 10-8" citation does not match any version of the code found. |
| Knoxville | 65 dB | 60 dB | 12:00 AM - 7:00 AM | Knoxville Code Chapter 18, §18-4: residential-use sources capped at 65 dB(C) daytime (7am-midnight) / 60 dB(C) nighttime (midnight-7am), with higher impulsive limits (80 dB(C)). Note: limits are C-weighted, not A-weighted, so not directly comparable to other cities' dB(A) figures. |
| Chattanooga | 55 dB | 50 dB | 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM | Chattanooga Code Ch. 25, Art. III: general nuisance prohibition (§25-66) plus specific dB(A) standards (§25-69): 55 dB(A) 9am-9pm / 50 dB(A) 9pm-9am at the residential property boundary for amplified sound equipment; higher limits apply in the Downtown Amplified Music District. Fine: $50 citation, civil penalty up to $500 (§25-73). |
How to Handle Noise Issues in Tennessee
- Document everything: Keep a log of noise incidents including dates, times, duration, and type of noise. Record audio or video if possible.
- Talk to your neighbor first: Many noise issues can be resolved with a polite conversation. Your neighbor may not realize they are causing a disturbance.
- File a complaint: Contact your local non-emergency police line or 311 service. Have your noise log available when you call.
- Know your rights: The noise limits in your area are enforceable by law. Repeat violations can result in fines of $50-$500 in Tennessee.
- Consider mediation: Many cities offer free mediation services for neighbor disputes, which can be faster and less adversarial than enforcement.
States with Similar Noise Enforcement
These states have the same enforcement level as Tennessee (Lenient Enforcement):
| State | Night Limit | Quiet Hours | Fines | State Law? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (TN) | No dB limit | 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM | $50-$500 | No |
| Indiana (IN) | No dB limit | 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM | $50-$500 | No |
| Alabama (AL) | 55 dB | 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM | $50-$500 | No |
| Arkansas (AR) | 55 dB | 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM | $50-$500 | No |
| Idaho (ID) | 55 dB | 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM | $50-$300 | No |
| Iowa (IA) | 55 dB | 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM | $50-$500 | No |
Need More Information?
Use our noise ordinance lookup tool to quickly check any state or city's rules, or browse all 50 states + DC to compare noise ordinances across the country. Remember: noise rules vary by specific jurisdiction. Contact your local code enforcement office for the most current regulations in your area.