Oklahoma Noise Laws (2026): Disturbing the Peace, Quiet Hours

Oklahoma's main state noise offense is disturbing the peace under 21 O.S. 1362, and most neighborhood limits, such as quiet hours and decibel levels for homes, come from city ordinances. A person who "shall willfully or maliciously disturb, either by day or night, the peace and quiet of any city of the first class, town, village, neighborhood, family or person by loud or unusual noise" is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $100, up to 30 days in the county jail, or both. To compare other states, see our guide to noise ordinance laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-10. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Oklahoma state law: disturbing the peace by loud or unusual noise (21 O.S. 1362), the general misdemeanor and public nuisance provisions (21 O.S. 10, 22, 1191), disturbing a religious meeting and funeral picketing (21 O.S. 915, 916, 1380), the tenant duty not to disturb other tenants (41 O.S. 127, 132), consumer fireworks (68 O.S. 1623, 1627, 1628, 1631), the nuisance chapter (50 O.S. 1 to 20) and right to farm (50 O.S. 1.1), city powers and municipal fine caps (11 O.S. 14-111, 22-110, 22-121), the county landfill noise power (19 O.S. 339.5), vehicle muffler and horn rules and their penalty (47 O.S. 12-401, 12-402, 17-101), boat mufflers (63 O.S. 4208), the state noise abatement act (63 O.S. 1-1511 to 1-1514), mobile food vendor noise (63 O.S. 1-1151) and shooting ranges (63 O.S. 709.2). It does not cover the text of any city or county ordinance, state park or wildlife area rules, lease terms, aircraft or workplace noise, or the law of other states. Statute text is the version the Oklahoma Legislature publishes on its official site.

Oklahoma noise laws at a glance

Is loud noise a crime in Oklahoma?

It can be. The state statute on disturbing the peace, 21 O.S. 1362, reads in part:

"If any person shall willfully or maliciously disturb, either by day or night, the peace and quiet of any city of the first class, town, village, neighborhood, family or person by loud or unusual noise, or by abusive, violent, obscene or profane language, whether addressed to the party so disturbed or some other person, ... he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof, shall be fined in any sum not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed thirty (30) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court or jury trying the same."

Three points stand out. The person must act "willfully or maliciously"; the noise must be "loud or unusual"; and the statute applies "either by day or night," so it is not limited to nighttime hours. The same section also covers threats, fighting, and "shooting off any firearms, or brandishing the same."

Section 1362 sets its own penalty, which is lower than Oklahoma's general misdemeanor range. That general range, in 21 O.S. 10, applies "Except in cases where a different punishment is prescribed": up to one year in the county jail, a fine of up to $500, or both.

A broader catch-all also exists. Under 21 O.S. 22, a person who "willfully and wrongfully commits any act which ... grossly disturbs the public peace or health ... although no punishment is expressly prescribed therefor by this code, is guilty of a misdemeanor."

Religious meetings and funerals

"Every person who willfully disturbs, interrupts or disquiets any assemblage of people met for religious worship, by any of the acts or things hereinafter enumerated, is guilty of a misdemeanor" (21 O.S. 915). The listed acts include "making any unnecessary noise, either within the place where such meeting is held, or so near it as to disturb the order and solemnity of the meeting" (21 O.S. 916(1)). No separate penalty is set in those sections, so the general misdemeanor range in 21 O.S. 10 applies.

Under the Oklahoma Funeral Picketing Act, "It is unlawful for any person to engage in picketing within one thousand (1,000) feet of the property line of any cemetery, church, mortuary or other place where any portion of a funeral service is held during the period from two (2) hours before the scheduled commencement of funeral services until two (2) hours after the actual completion of the funeral services" (21 O.S. 1380(D)). A violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in the county jail, or both (21 O.S. 1380(E)), and a district court may enjoin the conduct and award damages, including punitive damages, attorney fees or other relief (21 O.S. 1380(F)).

Quiet hours and decibel limits in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's crimes code (Title 21) and motor vehicle code (Title 47) contain no statewide quiet hours and no decibel limit for homes, parties or car stereos. The state statutes that do set a decibel figure deal with narrow situations:

• Shooting ranges. A 150-decibel threshold at the range's property line governs whether a range can face noise penalties or suits (63 O.S. 709.2, below).
• Food trucks. A local authority may "Restrict the operation of a noisemaking device that exceeds seventy-five (75) decibels measured at twenty-three (23) feet from the food vending vehicle during certain hours of the day" (63 O.S. 1-1151(A)(1)).

Quiet hours and decibel limits for neighborhoods, where they exist, are in your city's code. Contact your city clerk or check the city's published ordinances, and call the police non-emergency line about noise happening now.

City noise ordinances and their penalties

Oklahoma cities and towns regulate noise through their general powers over disturbances and nuisances:

"The municipal governing body may regulate or prohibit riots, assaults, batteries, petty larceny, disturbances or disorderly assemblies, and immoral or indecent shows, exhibitions or concerts, in any street, house or place in the municipality" (11 O.S. 22-110(A)).

"The municipal governing body may declare what shall constitute a nuisance, and provide for the prevention, removal and abatement of nuisances" (11 O.S. 22-121).

Cities and towns also "shall have the power summarily to abate any such nuisance after notice to the owner, and an opportunity for him to be heard, if this can be given" (50 O.S. 16(A)). The same section provides that "Any action conducted by critical infrastructure sectors shall not constitute a nuisance when the applicable industry acts in compliance with or acts consistently with government rules, guidelines, laws and municipal ordinances or laws applicable to their sector" (50 O.S. 16(A)), and "Nothing which is done or maintained under the express authority of a statute can be deemed a nuisance" (50 O.S. 4).

The penalty for a city ordinance violation depends on the city's court (11 O.S. 14-111):

• Cities with a municipal criminal court of record "may enact ordinances prescribing maximum fines of One Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($1,200.00) and costs or imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months or both" (14-111(B)(1)).
• Municipalities with a court not of record: "For all other offenses," apart from the categories the subsection lists separately, "the maximum fine or deferral fee in lieu of a fine shall not exceed Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00)," and the ordinances may prescribe "imprisonment not exceeding sixty (60) days or both the fine and imprisonment" (14-111(C)).
• A limit tied to state law, in municipalities with a court not of record: "A municipal ordinance may not impose a penalty, including fine or deferral fee in lieu of a fine and costs, which is greater than that established by statute for the same offense" (14-111(C)).

The actual amount for a noise ticket is set in your city's ordinance or fine schedule.

Counties. The county powers title, Title 19, addresses noise in one provision: a county with a large construction and demolition landfill in an unincorporated area "may, with respect to unincorporated areas of the county, enact and enforce ordinances and regulations to restrict and control noise, dust and traffic associated with the landfill" (19 O.S. 339.5). In a county with a population over 550,000, the board of county commissioners "may declare what shall constitute a nuisance, and provide for the prevention, removal and abatement of nuisances" for property the county acquired through resale and any property in an unincorporated area of the county (50 O.S. 20). Outside city limits, the state statute on disturbing the peace and the nuisance chapter described on this page still apply.

The state noise abatement act

Oklahoma has a 1971 noise act, but it is a research and coordination law. The State Department of Health is "authorized to encourage, participate in, conduct studies, investigations, training, research and demonstrations relating to: 1. The control or abatement of noise, 2. The detection and measurement of noise, 3. The effects on health resulting from exposure to noise" (63 O.S. 1-1511). The department is "designated as the official agency of the State of Oklahoma for all activities pertaining to the abatement and control of noise," using the resources available to it (63 O.S. 1-1512).

The act does not set quiet hours or decibel limits for neighbors. For a noise complaint, local law enforcement or the city is the place to start.

Loud neighbors: nuisance law in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's nuisance chapter, Title 50, gives neighbors civil remedies. A nuisance includes "unlawfully doing an act, or omitting to perform a duty, which act or omission either: First. Annoys, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, or safety of others" (50 O.S. 1).

• Public nuisance. "A public nuisance is one which affects at the same time an entire community or neighborhood, or any considerable number of persons, although the extent of the annoyance or damage inflicted upon the individuals may be unequal" (50 O.S. 2). "A private person may maintain an action for a public nuisance if it is specially injurious to himself, but not otherwise" (50 O.S. 10). Maintaining a public nuisance whose punishment is not otherwise prescribed is a misdemeanor (21 O.S. 1191).
• Private nuisance. "Every nuisance not included in the definition of the last section is private" (50 O.S. 3). "The remedies against a private nuisance are: 1. A civil action; or, 2. Abatement" (50 O.S. 13).

If the noisy neighbor rents, Oklahoma's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act requires every tenant to "Not engage in conduct or allow any person or animal or pet, on the premises with the express or implied permission or consent of the tenant, to engage in conduct that will disturb the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other tenants" (41 O.S. 127(6)). For a material noncompliance, the landlord may deliver a written notice that the rental agreement will terminate on a date not less than 15 days after receipt unless the breach is remedied within 10 days; if the tenant adequately remedies it within the 10 days, the agreement does not terminate for that breach, and any later breach is grounds for immediate termination on written notice (41 O.S. 132(B)). See our Oklahoma landlord-tenant laws guide for more. A lawyer licensed in Oklahoma can advise whether a particular noise problem supports a nuisance action.

Vehicle and boat noise

Mufflers and exhaust. 47 O.S. 12-402(A) provides:

"Every vehicle shall be equipped, maintained, and operated so as to prevent excessive or unusual noise. Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler or other effective noise-suppressing system in good working order and in constant operation, and no person shall use a muffler cut-out, bypass or similar device. No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in any manner which will amplify or increase the noise or sound emitted louder than that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle."

Horns. "No horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound," and a driver shall give audible warning with a horn when reasonably necessary to ensure safe operation "but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway" (47 O.S. 12-401(A)).

Penalty. Where no other penalty is provided, a misdemeanor conviction under sections 10-101 through 14-121 of Title 47, which include the muffler and horn sections, is punished "by a fine of not less than Five Dollars ($5.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) days." A second conviction within one year carries up to 20 days, and a third or later within one year up to 6 months, "or by both such fine and imprisonment" (47 O.S. 17-101(B)(1)). Those are the statutory limits; the amount on a particular ticket is set by the court.

Boats. "No person shall operate upon the waters of this state any vessel or motor which is not equipped with a muffler or muffler system in good working order," and removing or modifying a muffler or its baffles "so as to increase or modify the noise level is prohibited" (63 O.S. 4208(A)). Section 4208 "shall not apply to vessels in the act of participating in a sanctioned event." No person may "authorize, cause or permit unnecessary sounding of any whistle, horn, bell, siren or other sound-producing device on a vessel while such vessel is within any harbor limits or in areas of congested vessel traffic" (63 O.S. 4208(B)). A violation of section 4208 for which another penalty is not provided is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $100 for each violation (63 O.S. 4218(C)).

Shooting ranges and farms

Shooting ranges. Oklahoma's range statute uses a high property-line threshold. "Notwithstanding any municipal ordinance or rule regulating noise to the contrary, a governmental official may not seek a civil or criminal penalty or injunction against a shooting range, or its owner or operators, on the basis of noise emanating from the range, provided the noise at the property line of the shooting range does not exceed one hundred fifty (150) decibels" (63 O.S. 709.2(A)). Private suits against a range are barred on the same basis (709.2(B)), and a local noise ordinance or rule, "whether before, on, or after the effective date of this act, shall not be deemed to be enforceable against a shooting range" if the property-line noise stays at or under 150 decibels (709.2(C)).

Farms. "Agricultural activities conducted on farm or ranch land, if consistent with good agricultural practices and established prior to nearby nonagricultural activities, are presumed to be reasonable and do not constitute a nuisance unless the activity has a substantial adverse effect on the public health and safety" (50 O.S. 1.1(B)). An agricultural activity undertaken in conformity with federal, state and local laws and regulations "is presumed to be good agricultural practice and not adversely affecting the public health and safety" (50 O.S. 1.1(B)). "No action for nuisance shall be brought against agricultural activities on farm or ranch land which has lawfully been in operation for two (2) years or more prior to the date of bringing the action" (50 O.S. 1.1(C)). If a court finds a nuisance suit against agricultural activities frivolous or malicious, the defendant recovers its reasonable costs and expenses and reasonable attorney fees (50 O.S. 1.1(E)). In any nuisance action against agricultural activities on farm or ranch land, noneconomic damages "shall not exceed three times the amount of compensatory damages or Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), whichever amount is greater" (50 O.S. 1.1(D)(2)). Separately, the nuisance definition in 50 O.S. 1 ends its fourth clause, on rendering others insecure in life or in the use of property, with the proviso "provided, this section shall not apply to preexisting agricultural activities."

Fireworks noise

Licensed retailers may sell fireworks only "from June 15 until July 6 or the first Sunday after July 4th, whichever is later, and from December 15 until January 2" (68 O.S. 1623(F)). "It shall be unlawful to explode or ignite fireworks within five hundred (500) feet of any church, hospital, asylum, unharvested, flammable agricultural crop, public school or where fireworks are stored, sold or offered for sale" (68 O.S. 1627(C)). Discharging fireworks in violation of the act is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100 (68 O.S. 1628(A)(1)).

The fireworks act imposes "minimum requirements" and does not prohibit a city or town from passing ordinances "to properly regulate or prohibit the sale and use of fireworks within its corporate limits" (68 O.S. 1631), and a city's governing body "may regulate, punish, and prevent the discharge of firearms, rockets, powder, fireworks" (11 O.S. 22-110(A)). A city may not prohibit transporting fireworks in their unopened original packaging in a motor vehicle (11 O.S. 22-110(B)). See our Oklahoma fireworks laws guide for more.

Related pages

• Noise ordinance laws by state
• Oklahoma landlord-tenant laws
• Oklahoma fireworks laws
• Kansas noise ordinance laws
• Arkansas noise ordinance laws

This article provides general legal information about Oklahoma law, not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Oklahoma or your city or county government.

Last updated: 2026-10-10.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the noise laws in Oklahoma?

Willfully or maliciously disturbing the peace and quiet of a neighborhood, family or person by loud or unusual noise is a misdemeanor under 21 O.S. 1362. Vehicles must be equipped and operated to prevent excessive or unusual noise (47 O.S. 12-402), and quiet hours for homes come from city ordinances.

What are the quiet hours in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma's crimes code and motor vehicle code set no statewide quiet hours. Section 1362 applies to disturbing noise either by day or night, and your city's ordinance sets any quiet hours for homes.

What is the penalty for disturbing the peace with noise in Oklahoma?

A conviction under 21 O.S. 1362 carries a fine of up to $100, up to 30 days in the county jail, or both, at the discretion of the court or jury.

How much is a noise ticket in an Oklahoma city?

Each city sets its own amount. State law caps ordinance fines at $1,200 and costs or 6 months in cities with a municipal criminal court of record, and at $750 and 60 days for most offenses in municipal courts not of record, where an ordinance also may not impose a penalty greater than the state statute sets for the same offense (11 O.S. 14-111(B)(1), (C)).

Is a loud exhaust illegal in Oklahoma?

Yes. Modifying an exhaust so it is louder than the original muffler, or using a cut-out or bypass, is prohibited (47 O.S. 12-402(A)). The general penalty is a fine of $5 to $500 or up to 10 days in jail (47 O.S. 17-101).

Can a shooting range be sued for noise in Oklahoma?

Not on the basis of noise if the noise at the range's property line does not exceed 150 decibels. Officials may not seek penalties or injunctions, private suits are barred, and local noise ordinances are unenforceable against the range at that level (63 O.S. 709.2).

Can I sue a neighbor for noise in Oklahoma?

An act that annoys or endangers the comfort or repose of others can be a nuisance (50 O.S. 1), and the remedies for a private nuisance are a civil action or abatement (50 O.S. 13). A lawyer licensed in Oklahoma can advise on a specific case.