Task Force in Dallas Formed to Address Code Enforcement Crackdown on Live Music

On October 31, Dallas city manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert along with council member Chad West and others gave a press conference at Revelers Hall in Dallas’ Bishop Arts District to announce the formation of a new “hospitality and nightlife task force” to recommend updates to city codes affecting the performance of live music in restaurants and bars.

This announcement follows a crack-down on code enforcement through the Dallas Code Compliance’s newly expanded Nighttime Entertainment Team, tasked to respond to nightlife concerns in the city. This new initiative has resulted in notices of violations for music sound levels, and more significantly, the use of cover charges supporting of the cost of live professional music in venues such as Revelers Hall.

The new task force is charged to recommend revisions to outdated ordinances which through heightened enforcement could seriously damage the city’s offerings of live music in key entertainment districts, and run off needed engagements for Local 72-147 freelance musicians. It will present its findings to the Dallas City Council’s Quality of Life Committee no later than March 2026.

“It has become clear that our existing city code is outdated,” as stated in a memo released by Dallas City Council Member Chad West. “To keep pace with today’s economy and culture, we have an opportunity to update our code to address music fees, entertainment permitting, and the noise ordinance in a balanced, common-sense way.”