Noise Ordinances in Colorado Springs, CO: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Colorado Springs or are thinking about moving there, noise ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Colorado Springs has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Vehicle Noise

Colorado Springs City Code section 9.8.201 declares noise from vehicles under 10,000 lbs in excess of 80 dB(A), and from vehicles over 10,000 lbs in excess of 88 dB(A), excessive and unlawful, and prohibits air compression (jake) brakes within city limits unless posted. Sections 9.8.203 and 10.22.204 ban exhaust modifications that amplify noise above factory levels.

Key details: Code Section: City Code Sec. 9.8.201; Sec. 9.8.203; Sec. 10.22.204. Under 10,000 lbs: Over 80 dB(A) is unlawful. Over 10,000 lbs: Over 88 dB(A) is unlawful. Jake brakes: Prohibited within city limits unless posted by the Traffic Engineer. Exhaust: No modifications amplifying noise above factory; no cutoff/bypass (Sec. 10.22.204).

Vehicle noise above the 80 dB(A) / 88 dB(A) caps, jake-brake use where not posted, or operating a vehicle with an amplifying exhaust modification or muffler bypass is unlawful under sections 9.8.201, 9.8.203, and 10.22.204 and is prosecutable in Municipal Court under the Title 9 general penalty provisions.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Colorado Springs City Code section 9.8.102 makes it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle sound amplification system that creates excessive or unusually loud noise audible without a meter, with escalating mandatory fines from $75 up to $500 and forfeiture of the equipment on a third offense. General amplified noise that exceeds the section 9.8.104 dB(A) limits for the zone is also unlawful.

Key details: Code Section: City Code Sec. 9.8.102 (vehicle amplification); Sec. 9.8.104 (general dB limits). Standard: Plain-audible without a meter; words need not be discernible. First-offense fine: $75 minimum (mandatory, non-waivable). Second-offense fine: $150 minimum. Third-offense fine: $300 minimum plus forfeiture of the system.

Vehicle sound-system violations under section 9.8.102 carry mandatory minimum fines of $75 / $150 / $300 (each up to $500) for first/second/third offenses, with forfeiture of the equipment on the third offense. Non-vehicle amplified music exceeding 9.8.104 limits is prosecuted as excessive noise in Municipal Court.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Colorado Springs actively enforces its amplified music & outdoor sound requirements.

Aircraft Noise

Aircraft in-flight and takeoff noise is federally preempted, so Colorado Springs does not set decibel limits on aircraft. Instead, City Code section 7.2.601 establishes an Airport Overlay (AP-O) zone around Colorado Springs Airport (COS) that requires a 30 dBA noise level reduction for new residential development in high-noise areas and recorded avigation easements waiving noise claims. Colorado Revised Statutes Title 41 (Aeronautics) governs state-level airport authority.

Key details: Code Section: City Code Sec. 7.2.601 (AP-O Airport Overlay). Federal preemption: City of Burbank v. Lockheed, 411 U.S. 624 (1973). State law: Colorado Revised Statutes Title 41 (Aeronautics: Aircraft and Airports). Residential noise reduction: 30 dBA noise level reduction required in high-noise subzone. Avigation easement: Must be granted and recorded for benefit of Colorado Springs Airport.

There is no city decibel penalty for aircraft noise (federally preempted). Land-use violations of the AP-O overlay (failure to achieve the required noise level reduction or to record an avigation easement) are enforced through the development-review and zoning process under City Code Title 7. Aircraft operating complaints are handled through the Colorado Springs Airport noise program and the FAA.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Colorado Springs gives residents more flexibility on aircraft noise.

Construction Hours

Colorado Springs City Code section 9.8.107 subjects construction projects to the maximum permissible noise levels specified for industrial zones (80 dB(A) day / 75 dB(A) night) during the period covered by any applicable construction permit, or for a reasonable completion period if no time limit is imposed.

Key details: Code Section: City Code Sec. 9.8.107. Applicable limit: Industrial-zone caps: 80 dB(A) day / 75 dB(A) night (Sec. 9.8.104). Duration: Period of the construction permit, or a reasonable completion period if none. Daytime allowance: +10 dB(A) for up to 15 min/hour (Sec. 9.8.105). Relief: Noise hardship permit from City Manager (Sec. 9.8.109).

Construction noise exceeding the industrial-zone caps (80 dB(A) day / 75 dB(A) night) outside an authorized permit period is unlawful under sections 9.8.107 and 9.8.104 and is prosecutable in Municipal Court. A hardship permit under section 9.8.109 is required to exceed these limits.

Barking Dogs

Colorado Springs City Code section 6.7.115 makes it unlawful to own or keep any pet or hoofed animal whose unreasonably loud and persistent barking, howling, baying, yelping, crowing, or crying disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. An animal control officer issues a written warning first, the owner gets 3 days to correct it, and only then can enforcement action follow.

Key details: Code Section: City Code Sec. 6.7.115. Standard: Unreasonably loud and persistent noise disturbing the neighborhood. Neighborhood: Within 500 feet of the premises where the pet resides. Process: Written warning, then a 3-day correction period before enforcement. Enforcement window: No action more than 6 months after the written warning.

Written warning from an animal control officer, a 3-day cure period, then a summons and complaint in Municipal Court if the noise persists or recurs within six months. On a second conviction the court may order abatement within five days; failure constitutes contempt of court under chapter 11 of the City Code.

Quiet Hours

Colorado Springs City Code section 9.8.104 sets enforceable decibel limits by zone and time of day. In residential zones the cap is 55 dB(A) from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. and a stricter 50 dB(A) from 7:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. Exceeding the limit for the zone and time is declared excessive, unusually loud, and unlawful.

Key details: Code Section: City Code Sec. 9.8.104. Residential day limit (7 AM-7 PM): 55 dB(A). Residential night limit (7 PM-7 AM): 50 dB(A). Measurement: A-weighted meter, 25 ft from source/property line (Sec. 9.8.103). Plain-audible standard: Audible without a meter is independently unlawful (Sec. 9.8.101).

Noise that meets or exceeds the zone/time dB(A) limit is unlawful and prosecutable in Colorado Springs Municipal Court; the police non-emergency line (719-444-7000) takes disturbance reports. General penalties under Title 9 apply, and hardship-permit relief is available only under section 9.8.109.

The Bottom Line

Colorado Springs'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 Colorado Springs is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Colorado Springs's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.