Tempe's dense urban core and large Arizona State University student population make it one of the most noise-complaint-active cities in the Phoenix metro area, particularly in neighborhoods near Mill Avenue.
Quiet hours in Tempe run 10:00 PM–7:00 AM on weeknights and 10:00 PM–8:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday mornings end at 8 AM. Construction is permitted 6:00 AM–10:00 PM weekdays. For complaints, call Tempe Code Compliance at (480) 350-8234.
| Category | Hours / Details |
|---|---|
| Quiet Hours — Weeknights | 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM |
| Quiet Hours — Saturday And Sunday Mornings End At 8 Am | 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM |
| Construction — Weekdays | 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Construction — Weekends | 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Construction — Sunday | Permitted within standard hours |
| Ordinance Reference | Tempe City Code, Chapter 16 (Noise) |
Tempe's noise ordinance includes specific provisions for entertainment districts and university-adjacent zones. Properties within certain overlay districts near ASU may be subject to different amplified sound rules than standard residential zones. If you live within a few blocks of Mill Avenue or Sun Devil Stadium, your zone may have modified quiet hours provisions.
Tempe has a dedicated Neighborhood Resources team that handles quality-of-life complaints including noise. For noise complaints related to large gatherings near ASU events, the Police Department coordinates with the City's event management office. Regular residential complaints go through Code Compliance during business hours.
In Tempe, residential quiet hours run from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM Sunday through Thursday nights. On Saturday and Sunday mornings end at 8 AM, quiet hours extend to start at 10:00 PM and end at 8:00 AM. During quiet hours, any sound that is plainly audible from a neighboring property or the public right-of-way is subject to enforcement.
Covered noise sources include amplified music, television, voices, power tools, lawn equipment, and animal noise. The standard in most residential zones is an audibility test rather than a specific decibel limit — if a neighbor can hear it clearly, it qualifies as a potential violation. Some cities supplement this with dB measurements; check Tempe's specific ordinance for any measurement provisions.
Construction and related work in residential zones is permitted in Tempe from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekdays. Weekend construction is 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Sunday construction in residential zones: Permitted within standard hours.
Equipment covered by construction noise rules includes excavators, jackhammers, concrete mixers, nail guns, power saws, generators, and similar power equipment. If a contractor is working outside these hours, document the activity with a photo or video timestamp and file with Tempe Code Compliance. For Sunday violations, a stop-work order can typically be issued without prior warning.
For tips on documenting construction noise violations effectively, see the noise complaint documentation guide.
Dog barking is addressed under Tempe's nuisance provisions. Sustained or repeated barking that disturbs neighbors — particularly during quiet hours — is subject to enforcement. Most Texas and Sunbelt cities use a time-based threshold: barking that continues for 10–20 minutes or intermittent barking exceeding 30 minutes in an hour qualifies as excessive under many ordinances.
For dog barking complaints, file with Tempe Code Compliance during business hours. Include specific dates, times, and durations in your complaint for the strongest enforcement outcome. See the complete guide to dog barking noise laws for documentation tips.
Tempe does not have a separate ordinance for student renters, but it does have enhanced enforcement tools for properties with a history of nuisance complaints. Properties with three or more verified noise violations in 12 months may be placed on a 'problem property' list that triggers faster enforcement response and potential administrative penalties for the property owner.
Permitted university and stadium events may operate under special permit conditions that allow extended sound hours. However, residential disturbances caused by attendees — parking lot noise, street noise, pre- and post-event gatherings — are subject to standard ordinance rules. For event-related residential disturbances, contact Tempe Police.
Most first-time noise complaints in Tempe result in a verbal or written warning. Code Enforcement or Police will contact the source of the noise, note the incident in their system, and request compliance. If the noise continues or the same source generates a second complaint, escalated action including a formal Notice of Violation or citation is the typical next step. Fines vary by city and offense type but typically start around $100–$200 for a first citation.
Yes. Tempe's ordinance typically applies different standards in commercial and industrial zones compared to residential zones. Commercial properties may be permitted to generate higher noise levels during business hours. If a commercial property near your residence is generating noise that disturbs your home, file a complaint with Code Enforcement specifying the commercial property's address — the applicable standard will depend on that property's zone classification.