What to know about commercial audio in Scottsdale
Old Town bars sit outside the 68 dB test
Scottsdale's noise ordinance presumes noise over 68 dB(A) is unreasonable when a bar or live-entertainment business disturbs a residential district. The ordinance's definition of residential district excludes the Downtown district, so Old Town bars are not measured against that test.
Police use other tools in Old Town
The city's FAQ says Old Town's mixed-use areas were exempted and police rely on the state disorderly conduct law there. It adds that no business has been cited under the noise ordinance, while two were cited under the state law. A 2019 informal agreement between police and Entertainment District businesses set limits of 95 dBA and 110 dBC.
An update with Old Town decibel limits is pending
A sound ordinance update that would add decibel limits for Old Town was on the council's February 10, 2026 work study and was continued. The city's page, last updated in May 2026, shows it was not adopted. We build in a locked maximum level so a future limit is a setting change, not a rewiring job.
Source: City of Scottsdale, Special Noise Violations Ordinance
A DJ triggers a police Public Safety Plan
Zoning does not count a DJ who only plays recorded music as live entertainment. The police Public Safety Plan is a separate rule, and it applies to assembly businesses that use a DJ, check ID at the door or use a promoter. Peak hours are presumed to be 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday to Saturday.
Source: Scottsdale Revised Code, Ch. 23
Zones: who hears what
Most bars and restaurants run at least three zones: main room, bar and patio. Restrooms, entries and private rooms often get their own. Each zone has its own volume and, where it helps, its own source, so the bar can carry the game audio while the dining room stays on background music.
Staff run the zones from a wall panel or an app. We set a maximum on each zone, so a busy Saturday doesn't end with every knob turned up.
Speakers that suit the room
In-ceiling speakers keep a dining room clean. Surface-mount works where there is no ceiling space, and pendants suit open ceilings. A crowded room usually needs a subwoofer so the music stays full without straining the main speakers.
- Many small speakers at a low level sound better than a few loud ones.
- Long runs with lots of speakers often use a 70-volt system, which keeps wiring simple.
- Outdoor speakers need to be rated for sun, heat and dust.
Sound that can be limited and checked
Inside the Entertainment District the practical targets are the 95 dBA and 110 dBC figures police and businesses agreed on in 2019. Those are an informal agreement, not an ordinance, so ask the city or your police contact how they apply to you before you design around them.
What we can do is make the system measurable. A processor with a locked ceiling on each output keeps the patio from drifting up over a night. A sound meter at the listening position, or at the property line, lets you check the level yourself. The city's FAQ also describes noise sensors and cameras on new street-light poles in the Entertainment District, so a level you can show is better than one you guess.
Outside Old Town
Away from Downtown and inside Scottsdale city limits, the ordinance applies as written. Unreasonable noise means noise a reasonable person would find excessive that can be heard at least 100 feet from the business, and over 68 dB(A) is a rebuttable presumption. Fines are $500 for a first violation, $1,500 for a second within a year and $2,500 for a third or later. Non-amplified noise from patrons is exempt, so the rule is really about your speakers.
Kierland Commons is in the City of Phoenix, so Scottsdale's noise ordinance does not cover it. We plan those jobs under Phoenix's rules instead.
Walkthrough to final tuning
- Walk the rooms, ceilings, patio and cable paths with you.
- Send a plan with zones, speaker positions and a written quote.
- Install after hours or on a slow day so you stay open.
- Tune each zone, lock its maximum level and show your staff the controls.
- Service afterward, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Screens and control
In bars, audio normally goes in alongside TVs and video distribution, with AV control putting music and screens on one panel. The full Scottsdale list has the rest. Call (602) 769-7992 to book a walkthrough.
