Few bars have applied for El Paso noise permit, so outdoor music must stop at 10 p.m.

A new noise ordinance that allows businesses near residential neighborhoods to play music only until midnight went into effect two weeks ago, and the city of El Paso says only a few businesses have applied for the permit.

The ordinance went into effect on Aug. 26.

The Operations Manager for the city’s Environmental Services Department, Karl Rimkus, said as of Monday just two applications have been completed and one is still incomplete.

“It does take a while for the permit to get approved because there’s a 30-day notification period,” said Rimkus.

After a bar applies for the permit, notices are given to surrounding property owners. The city has to wait 30 days for any comments before granting the permit.

Bars and restaurants within 350 feet of a residential area have to apply for this permit which costs $322.

In addition to a permit, businesses also have to submit a sound impact plan which needs to include a location of the outdoor area where the sound will be emitted, a list of amplification equipment they are using and a description of any sound barriers they are installing outside.

If businesses don’t have a permit, the sound has to stop at 10 p.m.

Since the beginning of the summer, and the city also sent out 250 notices to businesses who may need to apply for the permit.

Because so few businesses have applied for a permit, Rimkus said the city will be starting field enforcement soon to make sure business which don’t have a permit are pulling the plug at 10 p.m.

Any bar in violation of the ordinance will be given ten days to apply for a permit. If they don’t, they’ll be subject to a citation.

Lorena Bencomo lives near a strip of bars and restaurants off Zaragoza. She told ABC-7 she can’t go to sleep until the music stops.

“It’s really bad, it’s unbearable, you can even feel the glass on the windows, they’re trembling because of the really, really high noise,” Bencomo said.

Bar owners have asked city council to change the ordinance to allow music to be played until 2 a.m.

The Environmental Services Department will meet with city council Oct. 1, to discuss any possible changes.

The permit application is posted online, as well as the police enforcement policy.