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

ATX Music 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, ATX Music 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

OMV Extended Hours Permit 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)

Music Office Review

After receiving a permit application, the Music & Entertainment Division conducts a Sound Impact Evaluation, which includes on-site inspections and sound measurements, discussions with nearby residents and business owners, and additional research to assess potential impacts. If the application is for an event held on city parkland  that is likely to have 7,500 or more attendees on any day, and the use of sound equipment is governed by Chapter 9-2 (Noise and Amplified Sound), a Sound Impact Evaluation is required. The Music & Entertainment Division will coordinate its review with the Parks and Recreation Department.

Based on the investigation the Music & Entertainment Division creates a Sound Impact Plan recommending approval (with possible restrictions) or denial of the application. If necessary to protect public health and safety, the division may recommend limits on attendance and capacity and more restrictive decibel limits and hours of operation. The Music & Entertainment Division may recommend appropriate restrictions for stage construction and orientation; size, location and orientation of speakers; appropriate sound buffering; and on-site decibel meters.