The Lockhart City Council adopted amendments to the municipal code establishing numeric residential noise limits and cross‑referencing those limits in the general noise prohibition. The ordinance sets maximum permissible noise from sources in residential zoning districts at 56 decibels from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and 63 decibels from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. as measured at other residentially zoned properties.

Senior planner David Fowler explained the change closes a gap between existing performance standards that limit noise from commercial and industrial districts and the lack of explicit numeric limits for residentially sited sources and nonresidential uses operating in residential zones (for example, home‑based businesses and special events on residential parcels). Fowler said the revised limits mirror the city’s commercial‑to‑residential performance numbers adopted last year.

Police and staff told council the written thresholds would give officers clearer numeric standards to use when responding to noise complaints. Captain Williams said the department uses temporary data collection tools and that enforcement practices will remain complaint‑driven.

Public comment included several speakers who warned the proposed limits could be overly strict. Don O’Neil, a resident, said average conversation is approximately 60–65 dB and that common equipment such as lawn mowers can measure around 80–90 dB; O’Neil and other residents urged council to reconsider whether the proposed decibel thresholds are practical. Staff and the police noted the ordinance is intended to give enforcement guidelines and that isolated family gatherings would generally be handled through education and complaint response rather than aggressive citation.

Planning & Zoning unanimously recommended approval. Councilmember motions to adopt the amendments carried on a 5‑2 vote.