Sphere is Allowed to Play Outdoor Audio Exceeding Las Vegas Noise Ordinances

In July 2024, Sphere launched an official live stream along with synced outdoor audio. How the audio would be projected without breaking Clark County noise limitations was questionable.

On August 13th, the Paradise Town Advisory Board resolved this matter by voting to award a waiver for the monumental undertaking to exceed Las Vegas noise ordinances. In the 3-1 vote, the board allowed the Exosphere to produce noise of up to 87 decibels. This limit is 22 decibels higher than the county’s limit of 65 decibels. Also, it is two decibels higher than the maximum advised by the World Health Organization.

The Locals Term It an “Ambush”

The waiver passed much to the disapproval of Park Tower residents, whose peace was rattled on July 3rd and 4th when the Sphere ran its first external audio system tests.

“They ambushed us,” one of the property residents’ James Kay, stated.

At the meeting requesting the waiver, Sphere Entertainment Co. representatives said that the disturbance caused by the test was a mistake and was a decibel higher than recommended by the board.

Necessary Concessions

Sphere operator Madison Square Entertainment Corp. originally proposed a waiver with no limits on the noise decibels or the number of times the noise ordinances could be broken yearly. The operator was forced to regroup after board members objected to the request.

Board member Angelo Carvalho called for a maximum limit on the noise levels, stating, “Honestly, there’s got to be some sort of limit. You have to give us numbers, not just throw something up in the air.”

Katlyn Cunningham, another board member, backed the request. “That means you could make a jet engine, and I’m not going for that,” she said.

The objections sent Madison Square Entertainment Corp. back to the drawing board and added concessions to its waiver request. The company stated it was willing to limit the noise to 87 decibels, and the noise ordinance would only be broken eighteen days a year. Also, the noise could only be made until midnight, except on New Year’s Eve.

Locals Seek Waiver Negotiations

Residents in nearby properties want these terms negotiated, asking executives to consider lowering the time limit to 11.00 pm and the noise to be played for fewer than eighteen nights.

While the waiver is a win for Sphere, it still needs approval from the Clark County Planning Commission before it can start blasting noise. The commission is expected to conclude the matter at its next assembly on September 4th.