Garden power tools are noisy. It's an inescapable fact. Sometimes big jobs need big tools, and that means making a little noise.
However, noise can be a real nuisance. Either you're the one who has to break out the drill to fix an urgent problem with your home, or you're being disturbed by the loud, persistent whirring of a hedge trimmer.
Thankfully, there are noise ordinances across the country that aim to establish reasonable noise levels. These can vary from state to state, city to city, and even county to county, so it can take some work to find out what the rules are in your local area. I spoke with a legal expert to find out more about noise ordinances, and how they apply to your power and yard tools, such as best lawn mowers.
What are the laws governing power tool use?
There's no federal law around garden power tool noise, but there are several laws at the state, city, and municipal levels. Attorney Ben Michael told me that 'The laws governing when you can use power tools at your home and property depend on what city or area you're in.'
In most places, there is no particular regulation on loudness level. However, there are several states with specific decibel limits. If you live in Texas, for example, you need to know the law.
Throughout Texas, construction or power tool noise above 85 decibels is considered unreasonable. However, different Texan cities have different limits. In Forth Worth, the limit is 70 decibels; in El Paso, the limit is 65. In Dallas, there's no particular decibel limit. Some states have particularly low decibel limits. In Colorado, for instance, the limit is just 55dB in residential areas.
Cities also vary in how they measure this noise. In some, the decibel reading for a nuisance is taken several feet from the boundary of a property; in others, the decibel reading may be taken 50 feet from the source of the noise.
All in all, noise regulations vary across the country. Ben Michael points out that 'Not every city has such laws on the books, however, so it's worth a quick check before doing any kind of serious work on your house' or in your yard.
When can I use loud garden power tools?
Even if they don't have specific rules governing noise levels, most municipalities have laws about when you can make noise.
Ben Michael told me 'Some cities, Los Angeles for example, have laws stating that you cannot operate noisy machinery after 10pm and not before 7am.' In Texas, it varies by city. In some cities, the cutoff is 10pm; in others, such as Austin, the cutoff is 6pm. It also varies depending on the day of the week. In many places, there are separate ordinances for Saturday and Sunday so that people can sleep in without being disturbed by noise.
These hours vary across the country, and in hotter climates, hours tend to be earlier. The idea is that people can start work before the sun gets too high and the temperature is too hot for working.
However, starting up an impact driver drill at 7am is pretty antisocial, so try and plan the noisiest activities for later in the day when the neighborhood is awake.
When I was a kid, my mom's golden rule was no noise outdoors before 10am to let the neighborhood sleep in, especially on the weekend. That meant no running around or bouncing a basketball, and when I was older and helping my parents with the yardwork, no mowing, sawing, or hammering. Of course, this won't be practical everywhere, so it's best to use your discretion and do the noisiest tasks as late as you can.
Are there HOA rules?
On top of local laws, your homeowners' association may have rules about noise. These often place limits below the legal level. If, say, your local government has limits at 85 decibels, your HOA might have a limit of 75 decibels.
If you live in a HOA, it pays off to obey the noise rules. If you break the noise rules, not only could you be breaking the law, but you could also be liable to a fine from your HOA.
How can I make my garden power tools quieter?
There's no fast way to make your garden power tools quieter. If you can, it's best to work out of a garage or shed with a little acoustic paneling like this from Home Depot for soundproofing. However, that's not always practical, especially if you're working on the exterior of your home or using yard tools.
This means the only real option is to go truly old-school and use hand tools. This can also be impractical, and won't work for every job. Most importantly, it's a lot more effort, but if you're particularly conscious of making noise, it could be the best way to avoid any issues.
If you use outdoor power tools like lawnmowers or strimmers, my best advice is to go electric. Most of the noise of a lawn mower or grass trimmer comes from a gas engine. For years, cordless mowers couldn't match a gas engine, but now there's almost no difference. A quiet electric mower is easier to maintain, cheaper, and much quieter than a large gas mower.
If you don't mind compromising on quality a little, a set like this can save you hundreds of dollars. It not only includes both a trimmer and mower but also a handy leaf blower. It won't stand up to a full-size gas mower, but it does a good enough job.
If you're on a tighter budget, I recommend this Ryobi. It's pretty small, but I can't fault how light it is, and it's very easy to use. Best of all, it gives a surprisingly great cut.
A cordless trimmer like this is much quieter than a gas-powered model and does as good of a job.
Noise ordinance FAQ
Does it matter what the noise is?
Noise ordinances apply to all types of noise. It doesn't matter if it's the bass from a car stereo or a noisy drill, if it's too loud and at antisocial hours it could be illegal.
For more help with neighborhood law, take a look at our guide to whether or not you can build a pergola next to a neighbor's fence.
