How Sandy Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Sandy maintains 131 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 Sandy falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Sandy City Code Section 13-2-4 bans operating a loudspeaker or sound-amplifying equipment, fixed, mobile or mounted on a sound vehicle, on any street, sidewalk, park or public property to advertise, give talks or play music to a crowd unless the operator first obtains a permit under Section 13-2-8.

Key details: Section: Sandy City Code Section 13-2-4. Permit required: Yes, under Section 13-2-8. Applies to: Fixed, mobile, or sound-vehicle loudspeakers. Decibel ceiling: 50-80 dB(A) by district/time, Section 13-2-5. Penalty: Infraction; each day a separate offense.

Operating loudspeakers or amplifying equipment in public without the Section 13-2-8 permit, or beyond the Section 13-2-5 decibel limits, is an infraction under Section 13-2-11, with each day of continued violation charged as a separate offense. Sections 13-2-4 through 13-2-9 are also declared a nuisance under Section 13-2-12, letting a court issue a restraining order or injunction to shut the equipment down.

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

Vehicle Noise

Sandy City caps motor vehicle noise at 80 dB(A) on roads with a 40 mph or lower speed limit and 84 dB(A) above 40 mph for standard vehicles, with higher limits for heavy trucks. Defective, cut-out or missing mufflers are separately unlawful.

Key details: Standard vehicle limit (≤40 mph): 80 dB(A). Standard vehicle limit (>40 mph): 84 dB(A). Heavy truck limit (≤40 mph): 90 dB(A). Measurement distance: 25 feet from lane, 4 feet high. Jake brake use: Banned except imminent danger.

Violating Section 13-2-9's noise limits or muffler requirements is an infraction under Section 13-2-11, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense, and is also declared a nuisance under Section 13-2-12 subject to court-ordered abatement.

Decibel Limits

Sandy City Code Section 13-2-5 caps stationary noise sources by land-use district and time of day: 50 dB(A) at night and 55 dB(A) by day in residential zones, 55/60 dB(A) commercial-agricultural, and 75/80 dB(A) industrial, measured at the property boundary as a 90th-percentile sound level.

Key details: Section: Sandy City Code Section 13-2-5. Residential limit: 50 dB(A) night, 55 dB(A) day. Commercial-agricultural limit: 55 dB(A) night, 60 dB(A) day. Industrial limit: 75 dB(A) night, 80 dB(A) day. Measurement: L90 over a 10-minute period.

Exceeding the district limit, the L10-over-ambient correction, or the 5 dB(A) pure-tone/impulsive-sound reduction is an infraction under Section 13-2-11, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense. Sections 13-2-4 through 13-2-9, which includes this decibel standard, are also declared a nuisance under Section 13-2-12, allowing a court to issue a restraining order or injunction against the source.

Aircraft Noise

Sandy City Code Section 13-2-4 bans flying an internal-combustion-powered model aircraft, tethered or not, or firing model rockets, between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or at any time in a manner that exceeds the district decibel limits in Section 13-2-5 or otherwise creates a noise disturbance.

Key details: Section: Sandy City Code Section 13-2-4. Covered equipment: Combustion model aircraft, model rockets. Restricted hours: 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Daytime limit: Must still meet Section 13-2-5 dB caps. Penalty: Infraction; each day a separate offense.

A violation is an infraction under Section 13-2-11, and each day the model aircraft or rocket noise continues is a separate offense. Sections 13-2-4 through 13-2-9 are also declared a nuisance under Section 13-2-12, so a repeat or ongoing violation can additionally be enjoined by a court, independent of any citation issued by the City.

Quiet Hours

Sandy City Code Section 13-2-4 bars running a radio, TV, stereo, musical instrument or similar sound device between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. loud enough to be plainly audible at the property boundary, and bans the same devices on public property or right-of-way at any time if audible 50 feet away.

Key details: Section: Sandy City Code Section 13-2-4. Nighttime hours restricted: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Standard: Plainly audible at property boundary. Public property rule: Audible 50 feet, any time. Devices covered: Radios, TVs, stereos, instruments, similar devices.

A violation is an infraction under Section 13-2-11, with each day of continuing noise charged as a separate offense. Because Sections 13-2-4 through 13-2-9 are declared a nuisance under Section 13-2-12, a court may also issue an injunction or restraining order against a repeat source, on top of any citation issued by Sandy Police.

Barking Dogs

Sandy City makes it unlawful to willfully possess, maintain, or keep any animal or fowl, including a barking dog, that emits loud or offensive noises or disturbs the peace and quiet of another person. Section 13-1-6 gives Animal Services and police a direct nuisance-noise charge apart from any decibel-based rule.

Key details: Standard: Willful keeping of a loud or offensive animal/fowl. Not decibel-based: No meter reading required, unlike Ch. 13-2. Covers: Any animal or fowl, not just dogs. Default penalty: Class B misdemeanor under § 1-2-2. Max fine/jail: $1,000 fine, up to 6 months, §§ 1-2-3, 1-2-4.

Section 13-1-6 doesn't spell out its own penalty class. Because no other penalty is prescribed for it, § 1-2-2's default applies: a Class B misdemeanor, which § 1-2-3 caps at a $1,000 fine for an individual and § 1-2-4 caps at up to six months in the city or county jail. Animal Services and Sandy police both have authority to act on a neighbor's noise complaint under this section.

The Bottom Line

Sandy'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 Sandy is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Sandy's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.