COMMUNITY NOISE LEVEL STANDARDS

Huntsville Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. V, div. 2

in effect

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 12-261 Exceptions.

Sec. 12-261. - Exceptions. The provisions of this division do not apply to vehicles located on public rights-of-way, which are regulated under division 3 of this article. (Ord. No. 94-100, § 3, 2-10-1994; Ord. No. 21-449, § 6, 5-27-2021)

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 12-262 Exemptions.

Sec. 12-262. - Exemptions. The sound levels in section 12-265 shall not apply to sounds emitted from the following: (1) Any bell or chime from any clock, school or church. (2) Any siren, whistle, horn or bell used by emergency vehicles or any other alarm systems used in case of fire, collision, civil defense, burglary, police activity or imminent danger; however, no burglar alarm shall remain activated for more than 15 minutes after being activated and further provided that no burglar alarm shall be allowed to produce alarm sounds in excess of those specified in section 12-265 for more than 15 minutes in any two-hour period. (3) Any activity of a temporary duration which is permitted by law and for which a license or permit has been granted by the city, including but not limited to parades, sporting events, concerts and firework displays. (4) Any construction equipment operated upon residential, commercial, industrial or public premises during the time period between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; however, operation of construction equipment between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. shall not exceed the maximum sound levels specified in section 12-265, and further provided that such equipment shall be equipped with a properly installed muffler in good working order. (5) Any domestic power equipment operated upon any residential, commercial, industrial or public premises during the time period between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. provided that such equipment does not exceed a sound level of 80 dB(A) when measured at a minimum of 25 feet from the noise source, and further provided that between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. such equipment does not exceed the maximum sound levels specified in section 12-265. (6) Any emergency work. (7) Any detonation of explosives used to fragment rock for mining, quarrying, excavation and construction. (8) Any recreational and educational activity, including but not limited to school bands and neighborhood ball games, provided that between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. such activity does not exceed the maximum sound levels specified in section 12-265. (9) Licensed refuse collection vehicles operated during the time period between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; however, sounds emitted from licensed refuse collection vehicles operated upon or within 150 feet of any residential premises between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. shall not exceed the maximum sound levels specified in section 12-265. (10) Aircraft. (11) Animals. (12) Reserved. (13) Noise sources within multifamily dwellings, office and apartment complexes, condominiums and similar structures occupied by more than one tenant which impact only those persons within the same dwelling, complex or building. (Ord. No. 86-297, § 3.2, 5-8-1986; Ord. No. 88-663, § 1(3.2), 1-12-1988; Ord. No. 94-100, § 3.2, 2-10-1994; Ord. No. 21-449, § 7, 5-27-2021)

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 12-263 Method of enforcement.

Sec. 12-263. - Method of enforcement. (a) The noise control officer, or any sworn peace officer, shall be responsible for enforcing all of the provisions of this division. Where a violation of any provision of this article is found, the noise control officer and any person acting under his supervision are authorized to: (1) Appear before a municipal court magistrate to make an affidavit under oath and request that a summons be issued for a person where there is probable cause for believing that the person is in violation of this article, requiring the person to appear in municipal court to answer charges of the violation. (2) Serve as a witness, and to provide evidence of the violation, at the request of a person who has registered a noise complaint and wish to appear before a municipal court magistrate for the purpose of making an affidavit under oath and requesting that a summons be issued for the person where there is probable cause to believe that the person is in violation of this article, requesting the person to appear in the municipal court to answer charges of the violation. (b) Where the provisions of this division are enforced by a sworn peace officer, the peace officer shall proceed with enforcement under any method available to him pursuant to the laws of the state. (Ord. No. 86-297, § 3.4, 5-8-1986; Ord. No. 88-663, § 1(3.4), 1-12-1988; Ord. No. 99-766, 9-23-1999)

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 12-264 Measurement procedure.

Sec. 12-264. - Measurement procedure. The sound level meter shall be operated in accordance with the instrument manufacturer's instructions and as follows: (1) Microphone orientation. The microphone shall be pointed towards the allegedly offensive noise source unless the instrument manufacturer's instructions specifically indicate otherwise. (2) Meter setting. The meter shall be set for the A-weighted network and slow response mode. (3) Calibration. An external calibration check and battery check shall be made before and after each use. (4) Meter readings. The recorded reading shall be the highest sound level obtained with the allegedly offensive noise source in operation, disregarding unrelated peaks due to extraneous ambient noises. (5) Ambient conditions. Measurements shall be made only when the A-weighted ambient sound level, including wind effects and all sources other than the noise source being measured, is at least ten dB(A) lower than the sound level of the noise source being measured; however, no source shall emit noise in excess of 86 dB(A) when measured 25 feet or more from the source. (6) Sound level measurement. Sound levels shall be measured at the approximate location of the property line or the boundary of the public premises, at a height of at least four feet above the immediate surrounding surface. (7) System distance. In no case shall the operator or observer be closer than two feet from the system's microphone, nor shall he locate himself between the microphone and the noise source being measured. (Ord. No. 86-297, § 3.3, 5-8-1986; Ord. No. 88-663, § 1(3.3), 1-12-1988; Ord. No. 94-100, § 3.3, 2-10-1994)

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 12-265 Sound levels by receiving land use.

Sec. 12-265. - Sound levels by receiving land use. (a) No person shall operate, cause to be operated or generate any source of sound in such a manner as to create a sound level which exceeds the following limits when measured at or within the property line of the receiving land use: Sound Levels by Receiving Land Use Receiving Land Use Category | Time | Sound Level Limit dB(A) Residential, public space open space, agricultural, institutional property | 7:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. | 55 Residential, public space open space, agricultural, institutional property | 10:00 p.m.—7:00 a.m. | 50 Commercial or business | At all times | 62 Industrial | At all times | 70 When a noise source can be identified and its sound measured in more than one land use category, the sound level limits of the most restrictive land use category shall apply. (b) (1) No person shall operate, cause to be operated, or generate any source of sound which is electronically amplified, or permit to be operated any sound amplification system such that the audible sound is discernible by the human ear at or within the property boundary of any adjoining or nearby residential premises between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The immediately foregoing provision of this subsection (1) shall not apply to amplified sound generated from within an arts or entertainment district established in chapter 3, article II of this Code, during the weekend (Friday and Saturday) regular hours of operation of such district and the New Year's Eve/New Year's Day regular hours of operation of such district. (2) The operation or generation of any electronically amplified sound originating from any commercial or industrial establishment used to page or notify individuals or to announce information shall not be permitted at any time if the audible sound is discernible by the human ear at or within the property boundary of any residential premises. (Ord. No. 86-297, § 3.1, 5-8-1986; Ord. No. 88-663, § 1(3.1), 1-12-1988; Ord. No. 93-312, § 2, 5-27-1993; Ord. No. 94-100, § 3.1, 2-10-1994; Ord. No. 21-1183, § 1, 12-2-2021)

Source: City of Huntsville, Alabama, publisher code (Municode) + enacted ordinances (City Council/Legistar)URL: https://library.municode.com/al/huntsville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH12ENMA_ARTVNO_DIV2CONOLESTFetched: 11/6/2026