Arizona noise ordinances: What your HOA, condo, or high-rise should know

What are Arizona's noise ordinances?

Arizona noise ordinances are local rules that vary by city, town, and county. They may address loud music, barking dogs, parties, vehicles, amenity noise, and quiet hours for residential areas. For HOAs, condos, and high-rises, this means local law and HOA rules often work together when board members respond to noise complaints.
 

Local noise ordinances in Arizona

• Scottsdale: For nuisance parties or unruly gatherings, noise levels over 68 dBA or 70 dBC between 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. may be presumed excessive if heard beyond the property line.
  
  The city’s nuisance party rules also refer to dwelling units and common areas, which can matter in condos and high-rises (City of Scottsdale Ordinance No. 4626).
   
• Phoenix: Phoenix prohibits unreasonably loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noise. Examples include loud radios or musical instruments, as well as shouting, yelling, hooting, whistling, or singing, particularly when the noise disturbs people in a dwelling, hotel, residence, or nearby area.
  
  While Phoenix does not establish universal citywide quiet hours, stricter enforcement often occurs overnight when noise is more likely to disturb nearby residents. (Source: Phoenix City Code §§23-12 and 23-14).
   
• Tempe: Tempe prohibits unnecessary, excessive, or offensive noise that disturbs the peace or quiet of a neighborhood or causes discomfort or annoyance to a reasonable person of normal sensitivity in the area.
  
  The city considers factors such as the volume, intensity, time of day or night, duration, recurrence, proximity to residential sleeping facilities, and whether the noise is commercial or noncommercial (Tempe City Code §20-11).
   
• Glendale: Glendale prohibits excessive, unnecessary, or offensive noise that disturbs neighborhood peace and quiet. For radios, sound systems, and similar devices, certain ordinance provisions restrict amplified sound when it is audible beyond defined distances, including circumstances where sound is heard more than 125 feet from the premises and creates excessive, unnecessary, or offensive noise that causes discomfort or annoyance to a reasonable person of normal sensitivity.
  
  A stricter rule may apply from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. when sound is heard off the premises and creates that same type of prohibited noise (Glendale City Code §§25-64 and 25-66).
   
• Mesa: Mesa’s noise ordinance addresses parties, social gatherings, events, and other noise that disturbs community peace and quiet. The city also treats an unruly gathering as a gathering of two or more people that disturbs a neighborhood or reasonable person. Certain ordinance provisions restrict amplified sound when audible beyond defined distances.
  
  For example, some outdoor speakers may be restricted if they are audible more than 50 feet from the source or are located within 250 feet of property zoned or developed for residential use, unless an exception applies (Mesa City Code, Title 6, Chapter 12).
   
• City of Maricopa: Maricopa prohibits excessive, unnecessary, or offensive noise that disturbs adjoining property, a neighborhood, or a reasonable person. The city also restricts sound trucks, loudspeakers, amplifiers, radios, and similar devices when they create prohibited noise.
  
  Its zoning rules also include provisions that restrict certain amplified sound when audible beyond defined distances, including outdoor speakers that are audible more than 50 feet from the source or are located within 250 feet of a residential district (Maricopa City Code §§9.20.010 and 18.110.050).
   
• Tucson: Tucson uses decibel-based limits for excessive noise. In residential areas, noise is generally limited to 70 dBA from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 62 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The code also notes that some sounds may still be excessive even if they are not measurable or do not exceed the listed limits (Tucson City Code §16-31).
   
• Flagstaff: Flagstaff’s overnight noise rules generally apply from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. During those hours, residents should avoid clearly audible noise that disturbs others, including loud music, yelling, or other disruptive activity (Flagstaff City Code, Chapter 6-08).

Some Arizona cities use decibel-based limits to evaluate noise complaints, while others rely on a nuisance standard or whether a reasonable person of normal sensitivity would find the noise excessive, offensive, or disruptive. HOA and condo boards should review the specific ordinance that applies to their community rather than relying on a single standard across all jurisdictions.

Because Arizona noise ordinances vary by city and can change over time, HOA and condo boards should confirm current local rules before updating community noise policies or responding to repeated complaints.
 

Common residential noise complaints

Common residential noise complaints include:

• Loud music, televisions, speakers, and subwoofers
   
• Barking dogs and other pet noise
   
• Pool, spa, clubhouse, rooftop, and courtyard gatherings
   
• Short-term rental guests and late-night parties
   
• Car alarms, motorcycles, and vehicle noise
   
• Basketball hoops, play areas, and outdoor recreation
   
• Footsteps, dropped objects, and furniture movement
   
• Garage doors, elevators, trash rooms, and mechanical equipment
   
• Balcony, patio, and neighbor conversations

Tips for board members making noise rules

When drafting noise rules, boards should consult association counsel and focus on rules that are clear, practical, and enforceable:

1. Start with the documents: Review the declaration, CC&Rs, bylaws, architectural guidelines, short-term rental restrictions, nuisance language, and enforcement policy before changing noise rules.
    
2. Compare local rules: Arizona noise ordinances vary by city and county. Review local standards before adopting quiet hours, pet rules, rental rules, or amenity restrictions.
    
3. Use clear examples: Rules should describe common problems, such as loud music, barking dogs, balcony noise, pool gatherings, flooring changes, and short-term rental parties.
    
4. Keep rules practical: Rules work better when residents can understand what conduct is restricted, when restrictions apply, and how complaints will be reviewed.

Tips for enforcing noise rules

Boards should work with association counsel for specific guidance, but these best practices can help support a consistent and well-documented noise enforcement process:

1. Require written complaints: Written complaints should include the date, time, location, type of noise, duration, frequency, and how the resident was affected.
    
2. Review the association’s role: Some issues may belong with police, code enforcement, animal control, a landlord, or another property owner.
    
3. Follow the hearing process: Before monetary penalties, boards should follow the governing documents, enforcement policy, and Arizona notice and hearing requirements.
    
4. Document the outcome: Keep HOA complaints, notices, responses, hearing records, fines, correspondence, and follow-up records organized.

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With over 45 years of experience across the state, we help HOAs, condo associations, high-rises, and master-planned communities operate smoothly and meet their goals with confidence. To learn how we can support your association, contact our Arizona team today.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal, regulatory, financial, or operational advice, or as a representation or guarantee of any specific services, capabilities, or outcomes. Property management needs, regulatory requirements, market conditions, and available services vary by jurisdiction, property type, and community. FirstService Residential provides services through locally based affiliates and associates, and services and results may vary by community, region, contractual terms, and applicable law.