New Orleans, LA Quiet Hours & Noise Laws [2026]
When are quiet hours in New Orleans, LA?
| Regulation | Details for New Orleans, LA |
|---|---|
| Quiet Hours | 9PM-10AM Sun-Thu, 10:30PM-10AM Fri-Sat (amplified sound); 10PM-7AM Weekdays, 10PM-8AM Weekends (power equipment) |
| Weekends | See specific hours above |
| Enforcement | Police Non-Emergency: (504) 821-2222 |
Sunday-Thursday: 9 PM - 10 AM (amplified sound audible in dwellings); Friday-Saturday: 10:30 PM - 10 AM (amplified sound audible in dwellings); Power equipment in residential zones: Weekdays 10 PM - 7 AM, Weekends 10 PM - 8 AM.
Strict noise limits typically apply during these times.
New Orleans, LA Noise Rules
What is the noise ordinance in New Orleans, LA?
New Orleans, LA noise ordinances, detailed in Chapter 66, Article IV, prohibit noise levels exceeding 60 dBA that are plainly audible within a neighbor's dwelling. Specific quiet hours apply, generally restricting amplified sound in residential areas from 9 PM to 10 AM on weekdays and 10:30 PM to 10 AM on weekends. Violations are misdemeanors, subject to fines and/or imprisonment.
Decibel Limit Comparison
| Zone Type | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 60 dBA (L10), 65 dBA (Lmax) from 7 AM - 10 PM | 50 dBA (L10), 55 dBA (Lmax) from 10 PM - 7 AM |
| Commercial | 65 dBA (L10), 70 dBA (Lmax) from 7 AM - 10 PM | 55 dBA (L10), 60 dBA (Lmax) from 10 PM - 7 AM |
Note: Limits are measured at or beyond the property boundary of the receiving land use category. L10 is the A-weighted sound pressure level exceeded 10% of the time, and Lmax is the maximum allowed A-weighted sound level. Public right-of-way, parks, and playgrounds have a limit of 80 dBA at 50 feet.
Specific Restrictions
- Construction:
Construction and demolition are prohibited before 7:00 AM or after 6:00 PM in RS, RD, or RM residential districts, or within 300 feet of such districts. Certain construction activities are exempt from general decibel limits between 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM with a building permit, except in residential zones. Operation of loud equipment like pile drivers is generally prohibited between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM, with highway construction having a 250-foot residential buffer during these hours.
- Amplified Sound:
Operating sound devices (radios, TVs, musical instruments, loudspeakers) in a dwelling so as to be plainly audible one foot from an exterior wall of a neighboring dwelling or beyond property lines is unlawful between 9 PM (Sun-Thu) / 10:30 PM (Fri-Sat) and 10 AM (subsequent morning). Similar rules apply within multiple-unit structures. Loudspeakers for commercial advertising in public spaces are prohibited. Outdoor live entertainment is limited to 11 AM - 8 PM and requires a 30-foot buffer from residential districts with speakers directed away from residences.
- Animals:
Owners or keepers are prohibited from allowing frequent or continuing noise from any animal or fowl that disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivity.
- Vehicles:
Motor vehicles must have functional mufflers and sound dissipating devices, with modifications causing excessive noise being prohibited. Refuse collection vehicles cannot operate between 8:00 PM and 5:00 AM in residential or noise-sensitive zones. Off-road motorized vehicles must comply with decibel limits when operated off public rights-of-way, and vehicle repair cannot exceed noise limits at property lines.
Frequently Asked Questions about New Orleans, LA Noise Rules
What are the designated quiet hours in New Orleans, LA?
Sunday-Thursday: 9 PM - 10 AM (amplified sound audible in dwellings); Friday-Saturday: 10:30 PM - 10 AM (amplified sound audible in dwellings); Power equipment in residential zones: Weekdays 10 PM - 7 AM, Weekends 10 PM - 8 AM.. Generally, during these hours, noise should be kept to a minimum to avoid disturbing neighbors.
How loud can I play music in New Orleans, LA?
Residential areas typically have a limit of 60 dBA (L10), 65 dBA (Lmax) from 7 AM - 10 PM during the day and 50 dBA (L10), 55 dBA (Lmax) from 10 PM - 7 AM 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 New Orleans, LA?
For non-emergency noise complaints, contact the New Orleans, LA police non-emergency line at (504) 821-2222. For ongoing issues like construction or animal noise, you can also contact Code Enforcement at 311 or (504) 539-3266.