Huntsville City Council unanimously passed a noise ordinance Tuesday night that will directly affect businesses within the city limits.

The vote came after Huntsville citizens complained to city council about bars on Sam Houston Avenue playing music into the night, disrupting local businesses.

The new ordinance states that any intentional noise- or music-making from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. will be in violation. From 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., noises can only reach 65 decibels, which is similar to a conversation in a restaurant.

Although there is a process to circumvent the new code through a temporary permit Huntsville Police Department can issue.

Owner of The Draft Bar Tarek Maalouf said before the vote that he believes the City Council has the appropriate authority to make the decision.

“As a business owner I will always have an opinion as to what I think is fair,” Maalouf said. “I intend to respect their decision and mold my business model around any changes that must be made.”

Owner of Bluebonnet Apartments LaRue Smith brought the issue to the City Council in June. She proposed that after 11 p.m., businesses should run silent.

“We ask that the city ordinances be enforced,” Smith said. “Students can still drink and party, but there should be zero tolerance of noise that disturbs our citizens after 11:00 p.m.”

After the vote, Maalouf said that he would continue to work with the city in order to comply with the new ordinance.

“I am very pleased with [the vote],” Maalouf said. “I believe that this is a very acceptable compromise for all parties involved, and we will continue to work with the Huntsville Police Department and local residents to make everyone as happy as we can.”