+ City of Austin, Texas

You are here

Department » Atxmusic » Content » Sound Permits and Venue Assistance

Sound Permits and Venue Assistance

The Music & Entertainmet Division's Entertainment Services Group (ESG) is a part of Austin Center for Events (ACE), a collaborative office anchored by teams from transportation, music, police, fire, EMS, and other City departments and agencies. Together with ACE, ESG assists outdoor music venues with the City permit process, and works closely with festivals on issues related to special event permits.

Sound permits may not be issued for the use of sound equipment located within 100 feet of property zoned and used as residential. You can have amplified sound from 10am to 10pm, up to 75 decibels without a permit in a residential area.

Noise Ordinance: Chapter 9-2 (Noise and Amplified Sound)

Temporary Event Sound Permits (24-Hour or Multi-Day)

Temporary Event Sound Permits are issued for up to four days of amplified sound. Multi-Day permits may include up to four consecutive days or four days within one month. A maximum of four Multi-Day permits, totaling 16 days may be issued to one site or property per calendar year. Multi-Day permits may not be issued within 30 days from last event date to a new event date. No more than one permit may be issued for the same site or property during Spring Festival Season. 

Temporary Event Sound Permit Application HERE

The Music & Entertainmet Division is a part of Austin Center for Events (ACE), a collaborative office anchored by teams from transportation, music, police, fire, EMS, and other City departments and agencies. Together with ACE, the Music & Entertainment Division assists outdoor music venues with the City permit process, and works closely with festivals on issues related to special event permits.

Submission Requirements & Deadlines:

24-Hour Sound Permits

  • Submission Deadline: 21 days prior to the event date
  • Notification Fee: not required
  • Sound Impact Evaluation Fee: $160 due at the time of application
  • Permit Fee: $125 due at the time the permit is picked up

Multi-Day Sound Permits

  • Submission Deadline: 45 days prior to the first scheduled event date
  • Notification Fee: $560 due at time of application (Fee Waived for Self-Prepared Notice, Applicant must submit Prepared Notice Agreement with application)
  • Sound Impact Evaluation Fee: $160 due at time of application
  • Permit Fee: $125 due when permit is picked up

Applicant Prepared Notice Agreement HERE

Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) Permits

Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) Permits are issued to outdoor live music venues for amplified sound. Apply for an OMV Permit HERE. 

Applicant Prepared Notice Agreement HERE

Submission Requirements:

  • Notification Fee: $560 due at time of application (Fee Waived for Self-Prepared Notice, Applicant must submit Prepared Notice Agreement with application)
  • Sound Impact Evaluation Fee: $200 due at  time of application
  • Permit Fee: $281.36 due when permit is picked up

Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) Permits - Spring Festival Season Only

This application may ONLY be submitted by Outdoor Music Venues that have standard hours of amplified sound and are requesting for extended hours during the spring festival season.  Apply for an OMV Extended Hours Permit.

Standard Hours of Amplified Sound and Decibel Levels

Warehouse or Sixth Street Entertainment: Sound equipment may be operated up to 85 decibels between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m.

Outside either district: Sound equipment may be operated up to 85 decibels or up to 70 decibels at a restaurant general (51% food sales).

·   10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday

·   10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. on Thursday

·   10:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. midnight Friday and Saturday

Outside either district within 600 ft. of a property with residential zoning & use: Sound equipment may be operated up to 85 decibels or up to 70 decibels at a restaurant general (51% food sales).

·   10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday (extension to 10:00pm possible with Music Office approval)

·   10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday (extension to 10:00pm possible with Music Office approval)

 

Venues

As the self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin is home to more than 250 live music venues that are an integral part of the industry’s success.  Venues host talent from around the globe nightly and serve as the nucleus for local and internationally recognized musicians.  For a list of venues currently hosting live music in Austin, click HERE.

The Entertainment Services Group serves as an ombudsman for outdoor live music venues. Our staff works to:

  • Assist venues with the City-required permit process for outdoor amplified sound;
  • Connect venues with other City departments that may require additional permits;
  • Mediate agreements between permitted venues and neighborhood groups to find equitable, win-win solutions and compromises related to outdoor music issues.

Music Venue Assistance Program

The Music Venue Assistance Program (MVAP) was created to support our valuable music industry, and to reduce sound complaints. This program offers low interest micro loans to qualifying establishments for the purpose of enhancing the sound quality of indoor and outdoor venues, while reducing sound impact to neighboring uses. Click here to view and download the list of minimum requirements for MVAP.

Share
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print HTML