How Lehi Handles Noise from Specific Sources: A Practical Guide
Lehi maintains 115 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with noise from specific sources. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Lehi falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Bar & Nightclub Noise
Lehi bars, restaurants, discotheques and dance halls cannot sustain sound above 105 dBA at any time. Once a venue hits that ceiling, the code forces a mandatory 10-minute break at or below 85 dBA before the venue can resume.
Key details: Sustained sound cap: 105 dBA at any time. Required break after breach: 10 minutes below 85 dBA. Covered venues: Bars, cafes, discotheques, dance halls. Measurement scale: "Slow" response characteristic. Penalty: Class C misdemeanor.
A venue that sustains sound at or above 105 dBA without taking the required break is guilty of a class C misdemeanor under § 5-3-8, punishable per § 1-4-1, with every day of continued violation treated as a separate offense. Liability can reach the business or operator controlling the sound equipment as well as the individual who caused it, per § 5-3-7A.
Car Alarm Limits
Lehi exempts fire and burglar alarms from its noise chapter, but the exemption carves out continuous vehicle alarms by name. A car alarm that keeps sounding is treated as ordinary noise and can trigger the same dBA-based misdemeanor as any other unlawful sound.
Key details: Exempt: Fire and burglar alarms. Not exempt: Continuous vehicle alarms. Governing limit for alarms: Zone dBA tables, § 5-3-6. Minimum violation duration: 30 continuous seconds. Penalty: Class C misdemeanor.
A continuous vehicle alarm that exceeds the applicable zone's dBA limit is a class C misdemeanor under § 5-3-8, punishable per § 1-4-1, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. Responsibility under § 5-3-7A can fall on the vehicle owner or anyone who fails to silence the alarm once notified.
Delivery Truck Noise
Lehi classifies delivery and commercial vehicle noise as "Sounds of Commerce and Industry," the mildest of its three noise categories. The city works with businesses to muffle it first, but noise that becomes harmful or disturbing is a public nuisance, and refusing to fix it is a class C misdemeanor.
Key details: Category: Sounds of Commerce and Industry (§5-3-1.A). Residential zone limit: 85 dBA day / 55 dBA night (§5-3-6.A). Commercial/industrial limit: 85 dBA day / 65 dBA night. Measurement point: Property line or 50 ft from source (§5-3-5.A). Penalty: Class C misdemeanor, up to $750/day.
Delivery or commercial-vehicle noise that becomes harmful or disturbing is a declared public nuisance that must be abated; continued refusal to fix it is a class C misdemeanor under section 5-3-1(A). Exceeding the 85 dBA day/night limits in section 5-3-6(A) for thirty seconds or more is a separate class C misdemeanor under section 5-3-8, with each day a distinct offense punishable by up to $750 under section 1-4-1.
The Bottom Line
Lehi's noise from specific sources 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 Lehi is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from Lehi's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.