Birmingham, AL Quiet Hours & Noise Laws [2026]
When are quiet hours in Birmingham, AL?
| Regulation | Details for Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|
| Quiet Hours | 10PM-7AM |
| Weekends | Typically same as weekdays |
| Enforcement | Police Non-Emergency: 205-254-CITY (2589) |
Generally 10 PM - 7 AM (for specific activities like construction, yelling, refuse collection).
Strict noise limits typically apply during these times.
Birmingham, AL Noise Rules
What is the noise ordinance in Birmingham, AL?
Birmingham, AL's noise ordinance, found in Title 11, Chapter 8, Article B of the City Code, prohibits noises that annoy, disturb, or endanger the comfort, health, peace, or safety of reasonable persons. It regulates activities like construction, amplified sound, and refuse collection, with general quiet hours between 10 PM and 7 AM to ensure public tranquility.
Decibel Limit Comparison
| Zone Type | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Not specified ( based on 'plainly audible' and 'reasonable person' standards) | Not specified (based on 'plainly audible' and 'reasonable person' standards) |
| Commercial | Not specified ( based on 'plainly audible' and 'reasonable person' standards) | Not (based on 'plainly audible' and 'reasonable person' standards) |
Note: The ordinance relies on a 'plainly audible' standard and whether a noise 'annoys, disturbs, or injures or endangers the comfort, health, peace or safety of reasonable persons of ordinary sensibilities' rather than specific decibel levels for general noise.
Specific Restrictions
- Construction:
Prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. within 500 feet of any residential zoned district, unless traffic conditions necessitate otherwise or for emergency work.
- Amplified Sound:
Operating or permitting sound amplification systems, television sets, musical instruments, etc., in a manner plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from a building/structure/open space, or 10 feet from a vehicle, so as to annoy, disturb, or injure reasonable persons. Commercial advertising amplified sound audible more than 50 feet from a property line or 10 feet from a vehicle is also prohibited.
- Animals:
Owning, possessing, or keeping any animal or bird that, by frequent or long-continued duration, howls, barks, squawks, or makes other sounds, creating excessive and unnecessary noise across a residential or commercial real property line or within a noise-sensitive area. A 'barking dog' is defined as continuously barking for 10 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes or more, disturbing persons of ordinary sensibilities.
- Vehicles:
Unnecessary sounding of horns (more than 30 seconds, except for danger warning). Use of engine exhaust-operated horns is prohibited. Sound amplification systems 'plainly audible' at a distance of 10 feet from a motor vehicle or 50 feet from the nearest building if closer than 50 feet. Refuse collection vehicles and their compacting mechanisms are prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. within 500 feet of a residentially zoned district, with exceptions for city crews providing necessary services.
Frequently Asked Questions about Birmingham, AL Noise Rules
What are the designated quiet hours in Birmingham, AL?
Generally 10 PM - 7 AM (for specific activities like construction, yelling, refuse collection).. Generally, during these hours, noise should be kept to a minimum to avoid disturbing neighbors.
How loud can I play music in Birmingham, AL?
Residential areas typically have a limit of Not specified ( based on 'plainly audible' and 'reasonable person' standards) during the day and Not specified (based on 'plainly audible' and 'reasonable person' standards) at night. Excessive vibration or bass that is plainly audible at the property line may also be a violation.
Who do I contact to report a noise violation in Birmingham, AL?
For non-emergency noise complaints, contact the Birmingham, AL police non-emergency line at 205-254-CITY (2589). For ongoing issues like construction or animal noise, you can also contact Code Enforcement at 205-254-CITY (2589) (City's 311 Non-Emergency).