BUDA — Following updates to the city’s noise ordinance, residents and business owners can expect more options for live music in downtown Buda. At Buda City Council’s Dec. 16 meeting, city officials brought forth a proposal to amend the ordinance as it pertains to music venues.
“The council requested a more business-friendly path to support live music downtown,” development project manager Adam McKee stated. “This is in keeping with recent efforts from the city to bolster its business and nightlife sector, as the region grows.”
A workshop in the spring identified challenges facing the current noise ordinance.
“Local businesses shared that the current [specific use permitting (SUP)] process is costly and slow,” McKee noted. “They needed a more straightforward option to come into compliance with city ordinances and host live music.”
On the residential side, there was notable public concern regarding noise spillover from these businesses. The proposal seeks to balance support for live music and the success of Buda’s nightlife with consideration for neighborhoods near downtown.
Outside of local concerns, Senate Bill 1008 altered the municipal authority that some restaurants have. For businesses that are not within 300 feet of a residence, SB 1008 removed local sound requirements. Because of this, amendments to the noise ordinance were also required to comply with state law.
The proposal removes the need for SUP permits for live music in some zoning districts, as that need aligns with SB 1008. Furthermore, temporary noise permits are only allowed for short duration events, not for extended hours, so as not to create lengthy disruptions.
Hours and decibel limits were also established for live music, with sound mitigation efforts tailored to each venue. The new ordinance allows sounds up to 75 decibels within certain hours — 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends. For businesses wishing to exceed these decibel limits, a special permit was introduced in the proposal, as well.
Objective approval and enforcement criteria were additionally set in the proposal. McKee explained that these changes set “predictable, enforceable limits” that businesses can benefit from without disrupting residents.
Assistant director of Development Services Will Parrish clarified that, under a new noise ordinance, some venues would be exempt from SUP requirements, given that they would have the right to play live music.
For the majority of business districts, including indoor music venues and small outdoor venues, the SUP process would no longer be required, as long as those businesses follow the new permitting process. Some larger business would still be required to obtain an SUP.
Additionally, Parrish acknowledged a discrepancy between the unified development code (UDC) and the city’s code of ordinances, as it pertains to noise limits. The proposal removes that discrepancy.
Businesses applying for a live music permit must abide by a “good neighbor” policy, which requires them to maintain cleanliness and provide contact information to minimize conflict. They must also follow best practices for sound mitigation. Permit applications will be reviewed based on site layout, proximity to residents and frequency of events.
To encourage applications, officials proposed waiving permit fees through March 2027. After that date, a standard $100 permitting fee and additional $20 for first-time applicants was proposed. An annual renewal fee of $100, plus a renewed $20 technology fee, will apply.
Mayor Lee Urbanovsky spoke on the compromise this proposal strikes between businesses and residents. On one hand, he noted that the council has received noise complaints from those living near downtown. However, he also does not want to “negatively [impact] the businesses more than we have to.”
Council heard one public testimony on this agenda item before moving to a vote, from resident Brandon Clark. The citizen, who attended previous meetings on this topic, argued, “The sound we hear in our homes tends to be the biggest nuisance and that comes from lower decibel levels.” He cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization as entities that have linked low-decibel noise frequency inside the home to anxiety and cardiovascular disease.
Council member Matt Smith expressed hope that the updated ordinance would “avoid the type of scenario” Clark described. He added, “I’m good with the [current] language … but we may need to pivot later.”
Ultimately, the council adopted the amended noise ordinance as proposed. With council member Evan Ture absent, the vote carried 6-0.
Buda City Council will meet next Tuesday, Jan. 20.
