Noise Ordinances in Pueblo, CO

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

Construction Hours

Pueblo holds construction projects to industrial-zone decibel limits, 80 db(A) daytime, 75 db(A) at night, for as long as the construction permit runs, under § 11-1-607(d)(5).

Key details: Standard applied: industrial-zone db(A) limits. Daytime cap: 80 db(A), 7 a.m.-7 p.m.. Nighttime cap: 75 db(A), 7 p.m.-7 a.m.. Duration: life of the construction permit. Citation: § 11-1-607(d)(5).

Construction noise above the industrial-zone db(A) ceiling is a public nuisance and Class 2 municipal offense under § 11-1-607(a), fined up to $1,000 plus a $25 surcharge under § 11-1-103(f).

Quiet Hours

Pueblo bans loud or unreasonable noise that disturbs the peace of any residence or neighborhood between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., prosecuted as disorderly conduct under the General Offense Code.

Key details: Quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Offense class: Class 1 municipal offense. Covers: residences, apartments, condos, neighborhoods. Owner liability: landlords liable for tenant noise.

Disorderly conduct, including nighttime noise violations, is a Class 1 municipal offense under Section 11-1-201(b), carrying fines and possible jail time set in Section 11-1-103.

Aircraft Noise

Aircraft operators at Pueblo Memorial Airport must comply with all noise abatement procedures and policies set by the Airport Manager, who can adopt new temporary or permanent restrictions whenever needed, except during declared aircraft emergencies.

Key details: Enforced by: Airport Manager. Applies to: Pueblo Memorial Airport operations. Exception: declared aircraft emergencies. Penalty: municipal offense, Sec. 1-2-1.

A violation is a municipal offense under Section 3-1-8, punishable per Section 1-2-1, and can also trigger suspension or termination of the operator's airport privileges or lease.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Pueblo bans running a radio, amplifier or loudspeaker within 300 feet of a home if it's audible 25 feet from the curb, treating it as disorderly conduct.

Key details: Distance from dwelling: Within 300 feet. Audibility threshold: 25 feet from curb. Offense level: Class 1 municipal offense. Permit exemption: Special event permits exempt.

Violating the amplified-sound limit is disorderly conduct, a Class 1 municipal offense under § 11-1-201(b), the top tier of Pueblo municipal offenses.

Vehicle Noise

Pueblo caps motor vehicle sound at 88 db(A) for vehicles over 10,000 pounds and 80 db(A) for motorcycles and every other motor vehicle, measured 25 feet away. Muffler cutoffs, bypasses and amplifying exhaust changes are banned, and each violation is a Class 2 municipal offense with a fine of up to $1,000.

Key details: Vehicles over 10,000 lbs: 88 db(A) at 25 feet, other than Interstate Motor Carriers. Motorcycles: 80 db(A) at 25 feet. Any other motor vehicle: 80 db(A) at 25 feet. Meter position: At least 25 feet away and 4 feet above the surface. Penalty: Class 2 municipal offense, fine up to $1,000.

Each violation of § 11-1-607(e) is a Class 2 municipal offense. Section 11-1-103(c) sets the punishment at a fine of not more than $1,000.00, and § 11-1-103(f) adds a $25.00 Keep Pueblo Beautiful Surcharge for each count of a § 11-1-607 conviction. Parents or guardians of an unemancipated minor are jointly and severally liable for that surcharge. The Municipal Judge can order alternative sentencing such as probation, community service or educational classes under § 11-1-103(d).

Decibel Limits

Pueblo caps noise at the property line, measured 25 feet away on the A scale: 55 db(A) by day and 50 at night in residential zones, 60 and 55 in commercial zones, 70 and 65 in light industrial zones, and 80 and 75 in industrial zones. Exceeding a limit is prima facie evidence of a public nuisance and a Class 2 municipal offense.

Key details: Residential limit: 55 db(A) day, 50 db(A) night. Commercial limit: 60 db(A) day, 55 db(A) night. Light industrial limit: 70 db(A) day, 65 db(A) night. Industrial limit: 80 db(A) day, 75 db(A) night. Measurement distance: At least 25 feet, A scale, wind under 5 mph.

A noise violation of Section 11-1-607 is a Class 2 municipal offense. Under Section 11-1-103(c), the fine is not more than $1,000.00 per offense. Section 11-1-103(f) adds a $25.00 Keep Pueblo Beautiful Surcharge on each count of conviction, which the Municipal Court waives only on a finding of indigence. A minor's parents or guardians are jointly and severally liable for the surcharge. The Municipal Judge can also impose alternative sentencing such as probation, community service or educational classes.

Barking Dogs

Pueblo Municipal Code § 11-4-31(b) presumes a nuisance when a dog barks, whines, or howls continuously for more than 10 minutes, or intermittently for more than an hour, audible 25 feet from the property line.

Key details: Continuous threshold: Over 10 minutes. Intermittent threshold: Over 1 hour. Audible distance: 25 ft from property line. Presumption: Rebuttable.

Keeping a dog whose barking meets the § 11-4-31(b) threshold is a municipal offense; the nuisance presumption can be rebutted with evidence of taunting, injury, or trespass.

The Bottom Line

Pueblo'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 Pueblo is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Pueblo can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, which shows when its source was last checked.