Outdoor Music Venue Permits

 

The City of Austin requires commercial establishments that use sound equipment outdoors (in any space not fully enclosed by four solid walls and a roof) to obtain an Outdoor Music Venue Permit (OMV). These permits are reviewed by the Development Services Department's Entertainment Services Group. Title 9, Chapter 9-2 of the Austin Code of Ordinances, regulates noise and amplified sound, including the Outdoor Music Venue Permit.

 

What you will find on this page:

 

Before You Apply

Consult with the Entertainment Services Group as early as possible, ideally as soon as you have a potential concept or location. We can help you understand the location, proximity to residential uses, impacts to the review and permit allowances, and help you minimize sound impact to residential uses.

How to Apply

step 1  Complete an Outdoor Music Venue Application

Complete an Outdoor Music Venue Permit Application (PDF). Email the application to soundpermits@austintexas.gov. Be sure to attach the following along with your application form:

  • Dimensional site plan and stage layout
  • Copy of a Certificate of Occupancy and the Occupant Load Card
  • Certificate of formation for the corporation, LLC, or partnership that owns the business operating the establishment

 

step 2  Application is entered into the system

The application is checked for completeness and entered into the system. Intake staff documents the business owner, the property's zoning, and the distance to the residential property.

 

step 3  Notify property owners and neighborhood organizations within 600 feet

Notice to property owners and neighborhood organizations within 600 feet is required within 14 days of applying. The City can mail the notice for a fee, or the applicant may choose to self-notify with City staff oversight without a fee. Download the Applicant Prepared Notice Agreement (PDF).

 

step 4  Pay required fees

Required fees, including the review and notification fees, if applicable, must be paid at the time of application. Your application status will remain pending until the required fees are received. NOTE: An additional permit fee, if not paid in advance, will be due upon final approval of the permit.

 

step 5  Review is conducted

Sound permit review is conducted to evaluate the potential impacts to the surrounding community. Reviewers will recommend approval or denial of the application and determine appropriate conditions and restrictions, including heightened restrictions related to decibel limits and hours of operation if needed to protect public health and safety.

 

 step 6  Plan is created

A sound impact plan is created by the Entertainment Services Group, documenting the allowances, restrictions, and requirements associated with the approved permit. The permit and sound impact plan will be issued and must be on-site at the establishment and available for inspection. The Outdoor Music Venue permit is valid for one year and must be renewed.

 

OMV Permit Outdoor Sound Allowances & Restrictions

The outdoor sound allowances, including hours and sound levels, are customized for each permit based on the review criteria.

Operating Hours for Outdoor Amplified Sound

The specific hours for each establishment are customized in the permit. The latest times for outdoor amplified sound allowed by city code vary based on location:

Citywide* Red River District 6th Street & Warehouse Districts
(establishments with a capacity of 600 or less)
Monday-Wednesday: 10:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday: 10:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m.
Friday/Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. Friday/Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. Friday/Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m.

*Permits within 600 feet of property zoned and used as residential have maximum hours of Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday/Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and can be extended up to 2 hours per day with support from nearby owners, tenants, and neighborhood organizations.

Permits may not be issued for using sound equipment within 100 feet of the property zoned and used as residential.

Sound Level Limits for Outdoor Amplified Sound

The specific sound levels for each establishment are customized in the permit and typically include dBA and dBC maximums. The loudest sound level allowed by city code is 85 dBA, with a 70 dBA maximum for restaurant uses.

 

Search for Permitted Venues

Use the map below to find active and pending Outdoor Music Venue permits, including the operating hours and sound levels. Search for a specific address or click on the map to explore a broader area. 

Are you developing a residential project near a permitted entertainment establishment? 

Use the map to locate permitted establishments near your site. Consult with the Entertainment Services Group as early as possible. We can help you understand any permitted establishments in the area and their existing legal sound allowances and provide suggestions for studying and mitigating sound impacts inside your residential unit(s).

Map of Permitted OMV Establishments
 

Noise and Amplified Sound Enforcement

Title 9, Chapter 9-2 of Austin’s Code of Ordinances regulates noise and amplified sound, including the Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) permit criteria, requirements, and enforcement. An Outdoor Music Venue is a commercial property where sound equipment is used to amplify sound that is not fully enclosed by permanent, solid walls and a roof. The Development Services Department’s Entertainment Services Group-Sound Enforcement Program is primarily responsible for enforcing OMV permits. They do not conduct enforcement of OMV permits or noise complaints within the following areas:

  • Historic 6th Street District
  • Red River District
  • Warehouse District
  • Residential Areas
  • Food Trucks
  • Vehicles

For complaints for any of the above locations, please use the Austin 3-1-1 app or call 3-1-1 to submit a service request for the category Sound and Noise Complaint, Non-Emergency Noise Complaint.

All Outdoor Music Venues (OMV) must be permitted and maintain an active OMV permit with the City of Austin, which is renewed annually. Permits are issued through the Development Services Department's Entertainment Services Group. 

If you believe an establishment is operating without a required permit or out of compliance with their permit, please use the Austin 3-1-1 app or call 3-1-1 to submit a service request for the Sound and Noise Complaint, Outdoor Commercial Music Venue Complaint category. 

Enforcement Activities 

The Sound Enforcement activities: 

  • Respond to complaints to determine if a violation has occurred, provide education, seek voluntary compliance, and take enforcement action as needed, if compliance is not achieved; 
  • Conduct routine inspections of commercial OMV;
  • Issue warnings to gain compliance; or 
  • Issue citations to the business owner or manager on-site; and/or 
    • File an affidavit on the business owner of record in municipal court; and may, in addition, file an affidavit on the property owner of record.

Violations 

Penalties and enforcement actions that may be taken under Title 9, Chapter 9-2, may include Suspension and Revocation of OMV Permit and may be chargeable as a Class C misdemeanor by a fine not to exceed $500 upon conviction. A warning is not required for any violation. Violations resulting in Enforcement action include:  

  • No OMV Permit or an expired OMV Permit
  • Sound exceeding permitted limits when measured with an approved sound meter
  • Amplified sound played past cut-off times
  • Any unapproved modifications to a Venues Sound Impact Plan (SIP)

For repeat and chronic violations of OMV permits, administrative actions may be taken, including Suspension of OMV Permit, Revocation of OMV Permit, and/or Denial of OMV Permit Renewal.

For additional information about penalties and enforcement action, see Code of Ordinance, Title 9, Chapter 9-2, or email the City of Austin Sound Enforcement Program or call 512-974-2278.

 

 

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Ask questions related to Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) Permits.

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