Noise Ordinance in Mobile, Alabama
Noise in Mobile is regulated by Mobile City Code Chapter 39 (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions), Article IV (Offenses Against Public Peace and Order), §§ 39-96 to 39-98; primarily § 39-96 (Noise generally) and § 39-96.1 (Noise in residential districts), as amended by Ord. No. 39-004-2015 (adopted Feb. 18, 2015). Quiet hours are nights 10:00 PM – 6:00 AM — see details. This page summarizes what the ordinance actually says, section by section, with links to the official code text.
What the Mobile Noise Ordinance Says
Mobile regulates noise through Chapter 39 of its City Code, chiefly Section 39-96 (noise generally) and Section 39-96.1 (noise in residential districts, last substantively amended by Ordinance 39-004-2015). The core rule is a two-tier residential standard: during the day (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM), sound from stereos, instruments, amplifiers, or any device may not exceed 85 dB(A) at a residential property line or be plainly audible 50 or more feet from one; at night (10:00 PM to 6:00 AM), the limits tighten to 50 dB(A) and 25 feet. There is also a catch-all nuisance prohibition on any "loud or excessive noise" that unreasonably interferes with others' comfort, health, or safety anywhere in the city. Separately, Section 39-96 makes it unlawful at any hour to operate a radio or other sound-reproducing device on public property or in a motor vehicle so that it is plainly audible 25 feet away.
Violating Section 39-96 carries a fine of $160 plus court costs, community service up to six months, or both at the municipal judge's discretion, and whoever controls the premises the noise comes from is presumed responsible. Notable exemptions include construction work and domestic power equipment (lawn mowers, etc.) between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM, city-permitted events (parades, concerts, the Greater Gulf State Fair, fireworks), airport traffic, emergency sirens, church and school bells, burglar alarms limited to 15 minutes, boats, and the normal operation of vehicles and trains. The code also bans commercial dumpster emptying or pickup between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM in or within 500 feet of residential zones, with carve-outs for quiet poly-material dumpsters, the central business district, and school/college property. The city offers a noise-waiver application for events, and the council frequently grants exceptions; a July 2024 council debate over moving the weeknight cutoff to 9:00 PM ended with consensus to leave the ordinance unchanged.
"The provisions of this section shall not apply to any construction activity or equipment operated between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m." — § 39-96.1(d)(6)
Quiet Hours in Detail
10:00 PM – 6:00 AM daily (stricter nighttime limits in residential districts: 50 dB(A) / plainly audible at 25+ ft; daytime 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM allows up to 85 dB(A) / plainly audible at 50+ ft)
Decibel Limits
Residential districts (§ 39-96.1(c)): daytime (6 AM–10 PM) — sound may not exceed 85 dB(A) at any residential property line or be plainly audible 50+ feet from the property line; nighttime (10 PM–6 AM) — may not exceed 50 dB(A) at any residential property line or be plainly audible 25+ feet away. Limits apply at property lines within, or on streets/rights-of-way within or bordering, residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-B). Separate from dB limits, § 39-96 bans sound-reproducing devices plainly audible 25+ feet away on any public property or from any motor vehicle on a street or highway, at any hour (no dB threshold). No dB limits are set for commercial/industrial zones in the noise sections.
Enforcement and Penalties
Violations prosecuted in municipal court; § 39-96(c) sets punishment per Chapter 1, Article II, Division 2 of the City Code: a fine of $160.00 plus court costs, or community service not exceeding six months, or both fine and imprisonment and/or community service at the judge's discretion. § 39-96.1(c)(2)e presumes the person creating the noise, or anyone permitting it to emanate from premises under their care, custody or control, responsible. Decibel readings must use ANSI-compliant Type 2 meters rechecked annually (§ 39-96.1(b)(4)).
Exemptions
§ 39-96.1(d): emergency and public work by government agencies/contractors; air traffic at Mobile Municipal Airport; city-permitted temporary activities (parades, sporting events, concerts, Greater Gulf State Fair, fireworks); emergency/warning sirens, horns and whistles; church/school/clock bells and chimes; burglar alarms (max 15 minutes); construction activity or equipment operated 6:00 AM–9:00 PM; domestic power equipment (lawn/home tools) 6:00 AM–9:00 PM; motor boats/vessels on waterways; normal operation of motor vehicles and trains; certain quiet poly-material/rubber-pad dumpsters, plus all dumpster service in the central business district and on school/college property. § 39-96(b) also exempts city-authorized athletic/cultural events and concerts, and emergency vehicles/personnel. The city offers a noise-waiver application for events (cityofmobile.org), and the council routinely grants exception requests.
Key Sections of the Code
| Section | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| § 39-96 | Noise generally — sound-reproducing devices (radios, players, etc.) on public property or in motor vehicles plainly audible at 25+ feet prohibited; possession is prima facie evidence of operation; exceptions for city-authorized events and emergency vehicles; $160 fine + court costs |
| § 39-96.1(a)-(b) | Noise in residential districts — intent and definitions (dB(A), decibel meter standards, residential district = R-1/R-2/R-3/R-B, property line, dumpster) |
| § 39-96.1(c) | Residential noise limits — general nuisance prohibition; 6 AM–10 PM: 85 dB(A) or 50-ft plainly-audible limit; 10 PM–6 AM: 50 dB(A) or 25-ft plainly-audible limit; nighttime dumpster emptying/pickup ban in or within 500 ft of R-1/R-2/R-3/R-B zones |
| § 39-96.1(d) | Exceptions — emergency/public work, airport, permitted events, sirens, bells/chimes, burglar alarms (15-min cap), construction and domestic power equipment 6 AM–9 PM, vessels, motor vehicles/trains, quiet dumpster equipment, central business district and school/college property |
| § 39-97 | Sound trucks — vehicles with loudspeakers audible in adjoining buildings prohibited on streets/sidewalks in the city or its police jurisdiction |
| § 39-98 | Disturbing religious worship |
| §§ 49-31—49-33 | Noisy public assemblies (cross-referenced from § 39-96) |
Official Source
This summary is based on the official municipal code text. Always confirm current rules with the city before relying on them — ordinances are amended regularly.
- Mobile City Code Chapter 39 (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions), Article IV (Offenses Against Public Peace and Order), §§ 39-96 to 39-98; primarily § 39-96 (Noise generally) and § 39-96.1 (Noise in residential districts), as amended by Ord. No. 39-004-2015 (adopted Feb. 18, 2015) — official code text (Municode)
- Alabama statewide noise ordinance guide
Last verified against the official code: 2026-07-08.
This page is an informational summary, not legal advice. For disputes or citations, consult the full code text or a local attorney.