Music people call it sound.
Neighbors call it noise.
We bring practical solutions for both.

Strong cities need strong sound policies.
The cities people want to live in — the ones with energy, culture, and connection — are often the same cities where sound becomes a point of tension.

At Sound Music Cities, we work with communities to develop practical, fair, and community-driven entertainment-related sound and noise policies. We don’t just recommend ordinance language; we help cities build the relationships and systems needed to make those policies work over the long term.

Our Approach: Community Sound Management™
Community Sound Management™ is the backbone of our work. It’s a participatory, hands-on process that brings together venues, residents, businesses, and city staff who live with sound-related challenges every day. In Austin, TX, we reduced noise complaints by 74% through our Community Sound Management™ approach.

Through facilitated conversations, best practice reviews, and collaborative drafting, we create:

• Policies and rules that prioritize compliance first, enforcement second

• Clear, actionable expectations that both businesses and neighbors can understand

• Trained, empowered city staff who can serve as neutral, knowledgeable resources for the community

We believe that people support the solutions they help create.

What We Offer
We customize every project to fit a city's unique needs. Typical services include:

• Full ordinance reviews and policy drafting

• Development of Sound Management Plan templates tied to existing permits and licenses

• Staff training in sound policy, complaint response, and community engagement

• Stakeholder facilitation and consensus-building

• Practical implementation guides based on real-world success stories

Good sound policy isn’t about punishing people. It’s about building systems where vibrant, creative life and residential life coexist and where trust between city staff, residents, and businesses can grow stronger over time.

If you’re ready to rethink how your city manages sound, we’re ready to help.