Noise Ordinances in Lincoln, NE

If you live in Lincoln or are thinking about moving there, noise ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Lincoln has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Vehicle Noise

Lincoln makes it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle with loud, unnecessary noise or a stereo audible more than 50 feet away on any street or public place, on top of separate exhaust and drive-by sound-level standards.

Key details: Governing section: Lincoln Municipal Code § 10.14.460. Stereo audibility limit: Not audible beyond 50 feet. First-offense fine: Up to $100 (traffic infraction). Exhaust noise fine: $35 to $100 under § 8.24.090(a)(14). Enforcement: Lincoln Police Department.

Lincoln Police cite it as a traffic infraction: up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, $300 for a third within a year; separate exhaust and Table 10 sound-limit fines apply too.

Construction Hours

Lincoln bars noisy construction, drilling, or demolition work between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. if it disturbs a residential property line, with exceptions for emergency utility work and small home power tools.

Key details: Restricted hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.. Enforcing agency: Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Dept.. Max penalty: $500 fine, 6 months jail. Exemption: domestic power tools normally found at home. Territorial scope: city plus 3-mile extraterritorial area.

Violating the nighttime construction limit is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500, up to six months in county jail, or both; each day of continued violation is a separate offense.

Barking Dogs

Lincoln treats barking dogs and other noisy animals as a noise disturbance if sound crosses onto a neighboring residential property, with property line limits of 65 db(a) daytime and 55 db(a) at night.

Key details: Enforcing agency: Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. Daytime limit: 65 db(a) at property line, 7am-10pm. Nighttime limit: 55 db(a) at property line, 10pm-7am. Exemptions: Zoos, humane society, licensed veterinarians.

Violations are civil noise-code infractions enforced by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, which investigates complaints, can issue citations, and may pursue abatement action under Chapter 8.24's general penalty provisions.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Amplified music, radios, or sound amplifiers that cross a residential property line above 60 dB(A) by day or 50 dB(A) at night violate Lincoln's noise ordinance, unless a public event permit sets other limits.

Key details: Daytime limit: 60 dB(A), 7 a.m.-10 p.m.. Nighttime limit: 50 dB(A), 10 p.m.-7 a.m.. Enforcing agency: Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Dept.. Max penalty: $500 fine, 6 months jail. Permit exception: Public events with issued permit.

A misdemeanor under § 8.24.170(a): up to a $500 fine, up to six months in county jail, or both. Each day the amplified sound continues is a separate offense.

Decibel Limits

Lincoln caps industrial noise at 75 dBA and commercial noise at 70 dBA at the receiving property line at all times, but exempts loading, vehicle-repair, and idling noise from commercial/industrial sites between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Key details: Industrial limit: 75 dBA, all times. Commercial limit: 70 dBA, all times. Daytime exemption: 6 a.m.-10 p.m., loading/repair noise. Measurement: 10-min Leq, Type II ANSI meter. Max penalty: $500 fine or 6 months jail.

Exceeding 75 dBA (industrial) or 70 dBA (commercial) as a ten-minute Leq at the receiving property line is a misdemeanor: a fine up to $500 and/or up to six months in county jail, with each day a separate offense (§ 8.24.170(a)).

Aircraft Noise

Lincoln bars new residential and other noise-sensitive uses above 65 DNL near the municipal airport and requires every property owner in the noise district to grant the city an avigation and noise easement before getting a permit.

Key details: District: Airport Environs Noise District, Lincoln Municipal Airport. Above 65 DNL: Residential and sensitive uses prohibited. 60-65 DNL: Allowed only with acoustic soundproofing. Easement: Required before any building or subdivision permit. Enforced by: Director of Building and Safety.

No subdivision, special permit, use permit, or building permit may issue in the district until the executed avigation and noise easement reaches the Director of Building and Safety and is forwarded to the Airport Authority for recording.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Lincoln actively enforces its aircraft noise requirements.

Quiet Hours

Lincoln drops residential sound limits after 10 p.m., cutting the daytime dB(A) ceiling by 10 points until 7 a.m. under the city noise ordinance.

Key details: Daytime limit: 60 db(a), 7 a.m.–10 p.m.. Nighttime limit: 50 db(a), 10 p.m.–7 a.m.. Enforcing agency: Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Dept.. Territorial reach: City limits plus 3-mile extraterritorial area.

Enforced by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department; violations are prosecuted under the penalty provisions of § 8.24.170.

The Bottom Line

Lincoln'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 Lincoln is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Lincoln'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.