City leaders in Bentonville are looking for new ways to discourage violations of the local noise ordinance.

At Tuesday’s city council meeting, city staff shared several options, seeking feedback on which should be brought back to the city council for later approval.

Shelli Kerr with the city’s planning department said common sources of noise complaints include nighttime construction and amplified sound from concerts and bars.

During the discussion, council members and city staff referred to “repeat offenders” several times but did not identify any specific individuals or businesses.

Police Chief Ray Shastid told council members the police department responded to 402 noise complaints in 2023, 504 in 2024 and 447 in 2025.

The enforcement actions available to the city are limited.

While some cities require businesses to obtain a license to operate within city limits, Bentonville does not, leaving the city with nothing to revoke when local laws are violated.

While police officers can issue citations, they cannot enter a private facility and shut down music or other activities that violate the noise ordinance, Shastid said.

“If we have a repeat offender that does it every night for a month in a row … I mean, what can we do?” Council member Chris Sooter asked.

“Issue citations,” Shastid said.

“If they don't stop, then what do we do?” Sooter asked.

“Issue citations,” Shastid replied.

Here are some of the strategies that were discussed:

The current ordinance requires police officers to take decibel readings — a measurement of sound intensity — to determine whether a noise violation has occurred.

Bentonville could simplify its ordinance by adopting an approach similar to the one used in Rogers, Kerr said.

Instead of relying on specific decibel thresholds, Rogers’ noise ordinance defines violations as sounds that “annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose” of residents after certain hours, giving officers more discretion in enforcement.

Shastid said there are several reasons the current decibel-based standard can complicate enforcement. Noise levels may change between the time a complaint is received and when an officer arrives, and the readings don’t always “measure the bass that may be disturbing to residents,” he said.

The police department is required to use a sound level meter to take readings. The city has only one, which was purchased for $6,000 and requires annual calibration at a cost of $1,600, Shastid said.

Currently, the fine for violating the noise ordinance is up to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

Anyone who receives a citation is entitled to a trial. If found guilty, a judge can assess a fine within those ranges.

City Attorney David Bailey, who handles prosecutions for the city, can also offer a plea deal to avoid trial. He said the fine amount he pursues depends on the specific situation.

Several city council members expressed interest in charging higher fines for repeat violations.

“If it is the third, fourth, fifth offense, I would expect that [fine] to start to change, and it's just a point of leverage,” council member Gayatri Richardson said.

“Let's put another two or three zeros to the fine,” council member Octavio Sanchez said, prompting a few laughs from the room.

Liquor licenses for bars and restaurants are regulated by the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Division—not the city government.

The state agency has broad discretion to revoke or suspend a liquor license based on a range of factors, including recommendations from local law enforcement, compliance with local laws and ordinances, and complaints from neighbors.

Shastid said the police department has asked ABC to review permits in the past and will continue to do so when necessary.

“I don’t want to talk about any specific establishment tonight, but we have gone through that process, and I can tell you, ABC has been great to work with,” Shastid said.