Bloomington's Noise Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In Bloomington, Minnesota, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Aircraft Noise

Bloomington is heavily impacted by MSP International Airport. The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) manages noise abatement. MN §473.192 requires acoustic construction standards in airport noise zones. Bloomington is party to a noise mitigation agreement with MAC alongside Minneapolis, Richfield, and Eagan.

Key details: Airport: MSP International (adjacent). State Law: MN §473.192. Noise Complaints: MAC hotline 612-726-9411. Construction Standard: Acoustic attenuation required in noise zones.

New construction without required sound insulation in airport zones carries stop-work orders and fines set by local ordinance. Failure to provide real estate noise disclosure results in liability for rescission of sale.

This is one of the stricter rules in Bloomington's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Quiet Hours

In Bloomington, Minnesota, the Noise Code (Article IV of Chapter 10) defines NIGHTTIME as 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or loud singing on public streets within 50 feet of a residential dwelling unit or sleeping facility during those hours is a presumptive public nuisance, and violations are misdemeanors.

Key details: Nighttime defined: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (§ 10.29(b)). Daytime defined: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Street noise rule: Yelling or loud singing within 50 feet of a dwelling or lodging. Legal status: Presumptive public nuisance (§ 10.30(b)(5)). Penalty: Misdemeanor (§ 10.32).

Under § 10.32, violation of any provision of Article IV is a misdemeanor. Civil penalties can also be issued under § 12.15 of the city charter and § 1.19 of the city code, and the city keeps its criminal, civil and injunctive remedies. Section 1.08 sets the general misdemeanor penalty for code violations with no specific penalty: a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both, with each day a separate offense.

Barking Dogs

Bloomington, Minnesota bars anyone who owns, has charge of or occupies a premises from keeping a dog or other animal whose noise unreasonably disturbs the peace and quiet. The code sets a measurable test: noise heard from outside the premises that repeats over at least a 14-minute period, at an average of at least 12 animal noises per minute.

Key details: Governing section: Bloomington City Code § 12.99, Animal Code. Duration test: Noise repeats over at least a 14-minute period. Frequency test: Average of at least 12 animal noises per minute. Who is covered: Owner, operator, person in charge or occupant of the premises. Animals covered: Any dog or other animal.

Section 12.130 makes a violation of the Animal Code a misdemeanor under state law unless the code says otherwise. It also allows enforcement by administrative citations and civil fines through the Administrative Mediation and Hearing Process in Chapter 1, Article II, by the nuisance service call provisions of § 12.15, and by Civil District Court action. Under § 12.15, after an abatement notice, each successive nuisance service call within a 365-day period draws a fee of $250 or more, up to $2,000, based on the actual cost of the law enforcement response. An unpaid fee is charged against the private property and collected in the manner of a tax.

Leaf Blower Rules

Bloomington, Minnesota names leaf blowers inside its outdoor power implement rule, § 10.29.07(b). They can be operated only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The same window covers lawn mowers, snow blowers, weed trimmers, parking lot sweepers and power hedge clippers.

Key details: Weekday hours: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Weekend and holiday hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.. Equipment named: Leaf blowers, mowers, snow blowers, trimmers, sweepers, hedge clippers. Exemption: Golf course maintenance that meets § 10.29.02. Temporary exception: Type I noise exception permit, Community Development Director.

Violation of Article IV, which includes § 10.29.07, is a misdemeanor under § 10.32, and civil penalties can also be issued under § 12.15 of the city charter and § 1.19 of the city code. Section 1.08 sets a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both where no specific penalty is provided, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense.

Decibel Limits

Bloomington, Minnesota sets numeric sound limits in § 10.29.02 by Noise Area Classification. Classification 1 (homes and overnight lodging) is capped at 60 dBA L50 and 65 dBA L10 by day and 50 and 55 at night. Classification 2 (commerce, parks) is capped at 65 and 70, and Classification 3 (industry, streets) at 75 and 80, day and night.

Key details: Classification 1 daytime: 60 dBA L50, 65 dBA L10. Classification 1 nighttime: 50 dBA L50, 55 dBA L10. Classification 2: 65 dBA L50, 70 dBA L10, day and night. Classification 3: 75 dBA L50, 80 dBA L10, day and night. Where measured: Outdoors, at the nearest point of human activity.

Violation of any provision of Article IV is a misdemeanor under § 10.32, and civil penalties can also be issued under § 12.15 of the city charter and § 1.19 of the city code. A Type I noise exception permit, a temporary exception reviewed by the Community Development Director, or a Type II permit, an ongoing exception decided by the City Council, is the route for a source that cannot meet § 10.29.02.

Construction Hours

Bloomington, Minnesota bars construction that uses power equipment on Sundays and outside 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The rule, § 10.29.07(c), covers any electric-, diesel- or gas-powered machine, and work that meets the § 10.29.02 sound standards is exempt.

Key details: Weekday hours: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Saturday hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.. Sundays: No power-equipment construction. Equipment covered: Any electric-, diesel- or gas-powered machine. Exemption: Work that meets § 10.29.02(a) and (b).

Violation of § 10.29.07 is a misdemeanor under § 10.32, and civil penalties can also be issued under § 12.15 of the city charter and § 1.19 of the city code. Under § 1.08 the general misdemeanor penalty is a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Bloomington, Minnesota treats amplified sound as a presumptive public nuisance under § 10.30(b) when it is likely to annoy a reasonable person, when it is plainly audible at the property boundary between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or when vehicle sound is audible from 50 feet or five vehicle lengths.

Key details: Night audibility rule: Plainly audible at the property boundary, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Vehicle sound: Audible from 50 feet or five motor vehicle lengths. Responsible party: Owner if present, otherwise driver or person in control. Advertising loud speakers: Barred on streets unless licensed under Article V. Legal status: Presumptive public nuisance (§ 10.30(b)).

Under § 10.32, violation of Article IV is a misdemeanor, and civil penalties can also be issued under § 12.15 of the city charter and § 1.19 of the city code. The city also keeps criminal, civil and injunctive remedies. Where no specific penalty is set, § 1.08 provides a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both, and each day is a separate offense.

Vehicle Noise

Bloomington, Minnesota requires a properly working muffler on every motor vehicle, bans Hollywood mufflers, cutouts and bypass devices on vehicles operated in the city, and limits compression engine brake use in non-emergency situations under § 10.30(b)(8) and (b)(11) of the Noise Code. Violations are misdemeanors.

Key details: Muffler: Properly working muffler in constant operation required. Banned devices: Hollywood mufflers, muffler cutouts, bypass devices. Engine brake: Barred in non-emergencies without an effective muffler or device. Horn rule: Continual sounding for at least 15 seconds, except as danger warning. Adopted state limits: Minn. Rules parts 7030.1000 to 7030.1060 (§ 10.29.01).

Under § 10.32, violation of any provision of Article IV is a misdemeanor, and civil penalties can also be issued under § 12.15 of the city charter and § 1.19 of the city code. The city keeps its criminal, civil and injunctive remedies. Section 1.08 supplies the general misdemeanor penalty of a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both, with each day a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Bloomington's noise ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Bloomington is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Bloomington's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.