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FACT BRIEF

Can you use a motorized lawn mower before 7 a.m. in El Paso?

By Brandy Ruiz
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NO

The city of El Paso’s noise ordinance prohibits sounds that exceed 70 decibels between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., including noise created by lawn mowers. Those who violate the ordinance may be fined up to $500.

Other noises that may violate the ordinance include loud animals, construction work, alarms, loud-speakers, mechanical devices and off-road vehicles.

Under Section 51.001 of the state’s local government code, Texas cities have authority to establish noise ordinances. The code does not give counties the same authority.

But, under Texas penal code, residents are allowed to file a complaint for unreasonable noise that exceeds a decibel level of 85 at a point where it is heard by others. The code states, “A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly makes unreasonable noise in a public place… or in or near a private residence that he has no right to occupy.”

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Municode Library Municode Library
State of Texas LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 51. GENERAL POWERS OF MUNICIPALITIES
State of Texas PENAL CODE CHAPTER 42. DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND RELATED OFFENSES
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El Paso Matters
El Paso Matters is a member-supported nonpartisan media organization that uses journalism to expand civic capacity in our region. We inform and engage with people in El Paso, Ciudad Juárez and neighboring communities to create solutions-driven conversations about complex issues shaping our region.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.