Noise Ordinances in Tennessee
How noise ordinances rules compare across Tennessee cities. Pick a city below for the full breakdown.
Quiet Hours
Tennessee doesn't have a statewide noise ordinance, leaving it to cities and counties. Nashville's 2023 overhaul made it the most regulated city in the state, driven by complaints about Lower Broadway entertainment noise spreading into residential neighborhoods. Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga have simpler ordinances that rely more on nuisance standards than specific decibel limits. The state does regulate vehicle noise through Tennessee Code 55-8-191, which bans modified exhaust systems that increase noise above factory levels. Country music and entertainment tourism create ongoing tension in Nashville and Memphis between nightlife businesses and residents.
| City | Strictness | Key Detail | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | Some Restrictions | Quiet hours 10 PM–7 AM. 75 dB daytime, 65 dB nighttime. Dedicated noise team since 2023. | Full rules → |
| Memphis | Few Restrictions | Quiet hours 11 PM–7 AM. Nuisance-based enforcement. Beale Street gets special treatment. | Full rules → |
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