West Jordan's Noise Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In West Jordan, Utah, there are 4 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.

Vehicle Noise

West Jordan City Code section 7-4-1(D) lets the city post signs along designated truck routes banning dynamic engine braking devices, the compression-release Jake brakes that produce a loud staccato bark when a semi slows down. Using an engine brake in a posted zone can be prosecuted under the truck routes chapter.

Key details: What's banned: Dynamic engine braking (Jake brakes) where posted. Where: Signed segments of designated truck routes. Authority: Mayor or designee installs prohibition signage. Penalty: Civil citation or Class C misdemeanor. Citation: West Jordan City Code § 7-4-1(D).

Running a dynamic engine brake on a route posted against it is enforced the same way as the rest of the truck-route chapter: a civil citation or, under section 7-4-3, prosecution as a Class C misdemeanor. Because the prohibition only attaches where the city has actually posted signage, an unposted stretch of a designated truck route does not carry the same engine-brake restriction.

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

Barking Dogs

West Jordan's nuisance code exempts natural animal noises like mooing or crowing, but explicitly excludes dog barking from that exemption. City Code section 5-3-2A requires owners claiming any animal-noise exemption to confine noisy animals, including dogs, in an enclosed structure between 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. to prevent nighttime disturbances.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 5-3-2(A). Barking exemption: Excluded from the animal-noise exemption. Nighttime confinement: 10:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M., where possible. Nuisance threshold: Disturbs 3 or more persons (§5-3-1). Penalty: Class B misdemeanor.

A dog whose barking annoys, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health or safety of three or more persons is a nuisance under section 5-3-1, since section 5-3-2A specifically withholds the daytime animal-noise exemption from barking dogs. The owner, agent or occupant tolerating the disturbance is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor, prosecutable criminally or through Title 16 administrative abatement.

Aircraft Noise

West Jordan maps a Noise Zone (An) around Salt Lake City Municipal 2 Airport wherever projected aircraft activity reaches 65 decibels. Inside that zone, hotel and motel developers must submit acoustical construction techniques with their site plan and bring interior noise in guest rooms to 65 decibels or less before the building official approves the project.

Key details: Noise Zone Threshold: 65 dB projected airport noise contour. Zone Designation: An (Noise Zone), Title 13 chapter 6 article A. Mitigation Trigger: Hotel and motel developments only. Interior Noise Target: 65 decibels or less in guest rooms. Approving Official: Building official reviews site plan techniques.

West Jordan enforces the Noise Zone standard through its site plan and building permit process rather than after-the-fact citations. A hotel or motel project that omits the required acoustical treatment plan, or whose submitted construction techniques cannot demonstrate the 65-decibel interior target, has its site plan held by the zoning administrator and its building permit withheld by the building official until compliant plans are resubmitted and approved.

Construction Hours

West Jordan City Code section 8-1-2 confines construction or operations work involving existing city infrastructure, or requiring a city inspection, to normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding city holidays. Work outside that window needs prior city approval under the chapter's nonbusiness-hours process, with city staff present the whole time.

Key details: Permitted hours: Mon-Fri, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Covers: Work touching city infrastructure or needing inspection. Exception path: 24-hour advance nonbusiness-hours application. Staff requirement: City staff must be present on site. Citation: West Jordan City Code § 8-1-2.

Doing infrastructure-related construction or work that requires a city inspection outside the 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekday window, without an approved nonbusiness-hours application on file, violates section 8-1-2. Because the chapter conditions city staffing and inspection access on the approved schedule, the practical enforcement is that unauthorized after-hours work proceeds without required city inspection and can be halted until the section 8-1-3 application and fee are in place.

The Bottom Line

West Jordan'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 Jordan is broadly strict or permissive.

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