ROUND ROCK, Texas – It might be a little bit quieter in Round Rock on Monday, as the city's new noise ordinance goes into effect.
Businesses on Main Street in Round Rock will now have to keep the music down to 60 decibels between 10 p.m. to 10 a.m.
Sound Break Down:
- 50 decibels: Quiet office
- 60 decibels: Normal conversation
- 75 decibels: Toilet flushing
- 120 decibels: Thunderclap
The former noise requirement was at 75 decibels, which is the equivalent of a loud vacuum or toilet flushing.
Round Rock city officials made the decision to change the rules in March after several complaints from people who live near downtown.
Initially, there was concern that measuring noise levels 200 feet away from businesses wasn't very effective. With the new rules in place, police will also start enforcing noise levels by measuring it at the property line.
Businesses will be required to have a permit to play music outdoors.
Should anyone violate the new noise ordinance, businesses could lose their permit to play music for up to one year.