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Wichita Falls council hears extensive public comment on proposed downtown outdoor‑noise rules; no ordinance vote
Summary
City attorneys presented a draft downtown outdoor‑noise ordinance that would ban outdoor music between 10:30 p.m. and 7 a.m., set a 70 dB unpermitted limit (85 dB with permit), and create a permit process. Dozens of residents and downtown businesses urged stakeholder study; council directed further outreach and took no vote.
City attorneys presented a draft downtown outdoor‑noise ordinance at the Oct. 15 Wichita Falls City Council meeting and asked council for guidance on whether to pursue a downtown‑specific regulation. The draft would limit outdoor music and loud noise within a mapped downtown district between 10:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., set an unpermitted maximum sound level of 70 decibels measured at the property line and allow up to 85 decibels with a permit.
James McKechnie, who led the presentation, described the proposal as modeled on an Austin ordinance and said exceptions would include permitted city events, parades, emergency vehicles and enclosed indoor venues. "The general rules…
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