Council adopts noise ordinance with ETJ reach despite objections from nearby business owner

The NorthlakeTown Council approved amendments to the town’s noise ordinance to add objective decibel limits by property use and time of day and to extend enforcement 5,000 feet into the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), passing the measure 6–1.

Nathan (staff) said the draft ordinance implements council direction from earlier briefings and adds a decibel standard that is stricter for residential areas and at night; the draft also includes exemptions for special events, an extended New Year’s Eve window and activities preempted by state law. Staff explained that the decibel limit is measured at the adjacent property line using sound meters. A staff participant cited Texas Local Government Code section 217.042 as the state authority allowing a municipality to reach beyond town limits for nuisance regulation.

During public input, Larry Lipscomb, owner of DFW Adventure Park, warned that a strict noise ordinance could effectively shut down events at his property located outside the town limits and questioned how complaints would be managed. Joel McGregor, a nearby resident, argued large out-of-town attractions should not be exempted and urged the council to consider impacts. Councilmembers discussed enforcement as complaint-driven, state preemptions (such as for firearms and agricultural equipment), and possible future exemptions. The mayor moved approval; the ordinance passed 6–1.

Council members and staff said officers would measure noise at adjacent property lines and enforce the ordinance on a complaint-driven basis. Staff noted some categories (for example, agricultural equipment or the discharge of firearms) remain preempted by state law and thus cannot be regulated by the town. The council did not adopt any additional exemptions beyond those in the draft; members left the ordinance subject to future adjustments.