St. George's Noise Ordinances: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In St. George, Utah, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Aircraft Noise
New development within St. George's Airport Vicinity Zone must disclose aircraft overflight noise on plats and permits and grant the city an avigation easement covering aviation noise, emissions, and visual impacts.
Key details: Applies in: Airport Vicinity Zone overlay only. Must disclose: Aircraft overflight noise on plats/permits. Must grant: Avigation easement to city. Penalty: Class C misdemeanor, § 10-1-14. Not: A citywide noise limit.
Violating any Title 10 zoning provision, including the § 10-10-2 disclosure and easement requirements, is a class C misdemeanor under § 10-1-14; noncompliant plats or permits can also be withheld by the community development director.
Vehicle Noise
St. George bans loud car stereos, exhausts and horns citywide as a public nuisance, punishable as a class B misdemeanor rather than a minor ticket.
Key details: Governing code: St. George City Code 4-2-3(H). Covers: Radios, stereos, exhausts, motor vehicles. Standard: No fixed decibel limit. Penalty (nuisance noise): Class B misdemeanor. Street speaker limit: Audible past 200 feet.
Nuisance noise, including car stereos and exhausts, is a class B misdemeanor under 4-2-6; unlawful street-side sound amplifier use under 5-3-2 is a lesser infraction.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
St. George City Code bans operating a sound amplifier or speaker on or near any city street that can be heard more than 200 feet away, covering outdoor live music and PA use.
Key details: Limit: audible beyond 200 feet. Applies to: sound on or near city streets. Exempt: law enforcement, emergency, vehicle horns. Penalty: infraction under section 1-4-1. Section: City Code section 5-3-2.
Infraction under City Code section 1-4-1 for exceeding the 200-foot audibility limit near a street; law enforcement, emergency personnel equipment, and required vehicle warning devices are exempt.
Barking Dogs
St. George makes it unlawful to keep a dog whose barking, howling or yelping rises to a citywide nuisance, enforceable as a class B misdemeanor.
Key details: Governing rule: Barking dog is an enumerated nuisance. Nuisance threshold: Annoys 3+ persons. Penalty: Class B misdemeanor. Abatement notice: 10 days to abate after notice.
Class B misdemeanor under St. George City Code § 4-2-6; city may also issue a written notice to abate under § 4-2-5 with a 10-day compliance window before further action.
Construction Hours
St. George caps construction work to sunrise-to-sunset on weekdays and 8 AM to 4 PM on Saturdays, with no work Sundays or major holidays absent city approval.
Key details: Weekday hours: Sunrise to sunset. Saturday hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Sunday/holiday work: Barred without city approval. First-offense fine: $500 minimum.
Enforcement follows the chapter's compliance track: a compliance advisory notice, then a notice of violation, then a stop-work order or administrative citation. Criminal violations are infractions carrying a minimum $500 fine for a first offense, $750 for a second within a year, and $1,000 or up to six months in county jail for a third; each day is a separate offense.
The Bottom Line
St. George'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 St. George is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from St. George's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.