Under the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), marketing text messages can only be sent to consumers between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM in the recipient's local time zone. This is the primary "quiet hours" rule that applies across the United States.
While the federal TCPA law provides a baseline for when you can send marketing text messages, many U.S. states have enacted their own, stricter "quiet hours" to protect consumers. It is crucial to be aware of and comply with the most restrictive rule that applies to your recipient.
Federal and State-Specific Sending Hours
The table below outlines the legal sending hours for marketing text messages in the United States, starting with the federal standard and then listing specific states with stricter rules.
Note: All times are local to the recipient.
| Jurisdiction | Legal Sending Hours (Local Time) | Notes |
| Federal (TCPA) | 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Applies nationwide unless overridden by stricter state laws. |
| Connecticut | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Starts later and ends earlier than federal; effective October 1, 2023, under mini-TCPA. |
| Florida | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Stricter than federal; ends one hour earlier under FTSA (Florida mini-TCPA). |
| Maryland | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Matches several other states; extended quiet hours under state telemarketing laws. |
| Mississippi | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Matches Maryland and others; state-specific extension of federal quiet hours. |
| New Jersey | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Effective early 2024 under mini-TCPA; aligns with conservative compliance practices. |
| Oklahoma | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Matches Florida’s earlier end time under state mini-TCPA. |
| Rhode Island | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (weekdays), 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (weekends) | Strictest rules; varies by day, with shorter weekend hours under state regulations. |
| Texas | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Mon–Sat), 12:00 PM (noon) – 9:00 PM (Sun) | Applies to marketing texts under SB 140; exceptions for direct consumer requests or existing business relationships. |
| Utah | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Matches Florida, Oklahoma, and others under state telemarketing laws. |
| Washington | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Matches Florida, Oklahoma, Utah, and others. |
For the most accurate and up-to-date compliance, consult legal counsel or check state regulations, as rules can vary or change.
Why Compliance Matters
Non-compliance can lead to severe penalties, including fines of $500 to $1,500 per message and expensive class-action lawsuits. To protect your business and your customers, always ensure your campaigns respect these time-based restrictions.