How Provo Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Provo maintains 50 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with noise ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Provo falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Leaf Blower Rules

Provo has no leaf-blower-specific ordinance. Noise from landscaping equipment is exempt from the Chapter 9.06 noise restrictions when operated between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.; outside that window the general dBA limits apply.

Key details: Leaf-blower-specific rule: None; landscaping-equipment exemption applies. Exempt hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.. Outside exempt hours: General 9.06.040 dBA limits apply. Snow/ice equipment: Also exempt (9.06.050(2)(g)). Code Section: Provo City Code 9.06.050(2)(h).

Operating landscaping equipment outside the 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. exemption in a way that exceeds the Section 9.06.040 dBA limits is a class B misdemeanor (Sec. 9.06.070(1)), with each occurrence a separate offense, and is a nuisance subject to summary abatement by restraining order or injunction (Sec. 9.06.070(2)).

Provo is more permissive than most cities when it comes to leaf blower rules. That said, there are still limits.

Amplified Music & Events

Provo City Code makes it unlawful to maintain a sound level exceeding 105 dBA in any public entertainment venue, including restaurants, bars, cafes, discotheques, or dance halls. Amplified sound on private property must also stay within the property-line dBA limits of Chapter 9.06.

Key details: Entertainment venue cap: 105 dBA maximum at all times. Venues covered: Restaurants, bars, cafes, discotheques, dance halls. Amplification defined: Any device that produces, reproduces, or amplifies sound (9.06.020(4)). Permit exemption: Mayor may permit events with set dBA limit and duration. Code Section: Provo City Code 9.06.040(3).

Exceeding 105 dBA in a public entertainment venue, or exceeding the property-line dBA limits, is a class B misdemeanor under Section 9.06.070(1), with each occurrence a separate offense. The violation is also a nuisance subject to summary abatement by restraining order or injunction (Sec. 9.06.070(2)).

Aircraft Noise

No Provo ordinance sets dBA limits for aircraft in flight. Provo's airport chapter adopts FAA and Utah State Aeronautics Commission regulations by reference, and aircraft noise standards are preempted by federal law.

Key details: City dBA limit on aircraft: None; preempted by federal law. Adopted authorities: FAA, Utah State Aeronautics Commission, Airport Director. Minimum flight altitude: 1,000 feet AGL over the City (13.02.060). Acrobatic flying: Prohibited over developed areas without Director approval (13.02.070). Code Section: Provo City Code 13.02.010, 13.02.160.

Provo does not enforce dBA limits against aircraft in flight; aircraft noise concerns are addressed through the FAA. City airport rule violations (such as low or acrobatic flying under Secs. 13.02.060 and 13.02.070, or failure to comply with adopted FAA/State rules under Sec. 13.02.010) are enforced by the Airport Director and may be reported to that office (Sec. 13.02.160(18)).

The rules around aircraft noise in Provo lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Quiet Hours

Provo City Code Chapter 9.06 caps residential noise at a property line at 55 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and 65 dBA between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. It is also unlawful to create loud, continuous, or obnoxious noises that are a nuisance to the public peace.

Key details: Residential nighttime limit: 55 dBA (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Residential daytime limit: 65 dBA (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.). All other areas: 65 dBA night / 70 dBA day. Industrial: 75 dBA at all times. Code Section: Provo City Code 9.06.040.

A violation of the noise provisions of Chapter 9.06 or the conditions of an exemption permit is a class B misdemeanor, and each occurrence (or continuing day) is a separate offense (Sec. 9.06.070(1)). Violations are also declared a nuisance subject to summary abatement through a restraining order or injunction (Sec. 9.06.070(2)). If police must respond more than once, the person in charge of the premises and the person responsible for the event are jointly and severally liable for the cost of the additional responses (Sec. 9.06.060).

Construction Hours

Provo has no chapter setting fixed start and stop times for construction. Construction noise is governed by the general Chapter 9.06 dBA limits, and special construction projects may obtain a written noise-exemption permit from the Mayor.

Key details: Fixed construction hours: None in city code; general dBA limits apply. Daytime residential limit: 65 dBA (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Nighttime residential limit: 55 dBA (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Permit exemption: Mayor may exempt special construction projects (9.06.050(1)). Landscaping exemption: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (9.06.050(2)(h)).

Construction noise that exceeds the Section 9.06.040 limits without a permit is a class B misdemeanor (Sec. 9.06.070(1)), with each occurrence a separate offense, and is a nuisance subject to summary abatement by restraining order or injunction (Sec. 9.06.070(2)). Violating the conditions of an exemption permit may cause the exemption to be revoked (Sec. 9.06.050(1)).

Barking Dogs

Provo City Code deems any animal that barks, whines, or howls in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion a nuisance. Excessive barking means barking continuously for ten minutes, or intermittently for a half hour or more, disturbing any person at any time of day or night.

Key details: Continuous-barking threshold: 10 minutes nonstop. Intermittent threshold: One-half hour or more. Applies: Any time of day or night. Exception: Trespass, threatened trespass, or teasing/provocation. Code Section: Provo City Code 8.02.100.

Under Section 8.02.015, a violation of Title 8 is a class B misdemeanor, but is reduced to an infraction where it involves a domesticated dog or cat owned by the violator (unless the owner has been fined three or more times in the prior twelve months for the same animal, the violation is a statutory nuisance, or it threatens an identifiable third party). A dog barking excessively with no owner present may be summarily impounded (Sec. 8.02.100(2)); three or more convictions in twelve months can lead the Justice Court to bar the owner from keeping an animal in the City for one year (Sec. 8.02.150).

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Provo gives residents more room on noise ordinances. 2 of the 6 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

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