How West Allis Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide
West Allis maintains 89 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with noise ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where West Allis falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Vehicle Noise
Revving, tire squealing, and horn blowing that create a disturbance cost drivers a $300 forfeiture under West Allis's disorderly-conduct-with-a-motor-vehicle rule.
Key details: Forfeiture: $300.00 per offense. Covers: Revving, tire squeal, horn. Applies on: Public or private property. Enforced by: West Allis Police Department.
Forfeiture of $300.00 for each offense, issued by West Allis Police upon conviction for disorderly operation of a motor vehicle.
Decibel Limits
In West Allis's commercial and industrial zones, nighttime noise audible from 75 feet or more away on a different property is presumed to unreasonably disturb neighbors between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Key details: Zone: Commercial and industrial areas only. Hours: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Distance: 75 feet or more. Penalty: $100-$500 forfeiture per offense. Citation: WAMC Section 7.23.
Commercial or industrial noise audible 75 feet or more away between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. is presumed unreasonable, drawing a forfeiture of $100 to $500 per offense, each day counted separately.
Barking Dogs
West Allis treats habitual barking, howling, or other animal noise that disturbs neighbors of ordinary sensibilities as a public nuisance, enforceable through written abatement orders and forfeitures.
Key details: Standard: Habitual barking disturbing neighbors. Enforcement: Police Chief, Health Commissioner, designees. Penalty: $50-$500 forfeiture per offense. Process: Written abatement order first.
Forfeiture of $50 to $500 per offense under § 18.06, plus prosecution costs, with imprisonment in the Milwaukee County House of Correction or Jail possible if the forfeiture goes unpaid.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
West Allis bans noise that unreasonably disturbs neighbors, using objective time-and-distance tests, audible inside a home at night, or 150+ feet away by day, that govern amplified outdoor music and parties.
Key details: Night threshold: Audible inside a home = violation. Day threshold: 150+ feet from property line. Penalty: $100-$500 forfeiture per offense. Variance: Available via Common Council hearing. Enforced by: Health officer or police.
Forfeiture of $100 to $500 per violation plus prosecution costs, with each day of continued noise a separate offense; the local health officer or any law enforcement officer may cite the source under WAMC § 7.23.
Leaf Blower Rules
West Allis presumes noise from outdoor property maintenance equipment -- including leaf blowers -- reasonable only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; running it outside that window can be cited as an unreasonable disturbance.
Key details: Covers: Leaf blowers, mowers, similar equipment. Safe hours: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Penalty: $100-$500 forfeiture per offense. Citation: WAMC Section 7.23. Enforced by: Health officer or police.
Running outdoor maintenance equipment like leaf blowers outside 7 a.m.-10 p.m. can be cited as an unreasonable disturbance, with a forfeiture of $100 to $500 per offense and each day counted separately.
Construction Hours
West Allis treats construction noise as presumptively reasonable only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; work outside that window loses its automatic protection and can be cited as an unreasonable disturbance under the noise ordinance.
Key details: Safe hours: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Outside window: Presumed an unreasonable disturbance. Penalty: $100-$500 forfeiture per offense. Citation: WAMC Section 7.23. Variance: Available via Common Council hearing.
Construction noise outside the 7 a.m.-10 p.m. safe-harbor window can be cited as an unreasonable disturbance, carrying a forfeiture of $100 to $500 per offense, with each day of violation counted separately.
Quiet Hours
West Allis sets a nighttime noise curfew: between 10 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., noise audible inside a residential dwelling from outside it is presumed to unreasonably disturb the peace, with a separate daytime distance threshold.
Key details: Night hours: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Day hours: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Night test: Audible inside a dwelling unit. Day test: Audible 150+ feet from property line. Citation: WAMC Section 7.23.
Noise that trips the Night Hours or Day Hours thresholds can draw a forfeiture of $100 to $500 per offense, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense.
The Bottom Line
West Allis'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 West Allis is broadly strict or permissive.
This guide is based on West Allis's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.