Noise from Specific Sources in Sandy, UT

If you live in Sandy or are thinking about moving there, noise from specific sources are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Sandy has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise from specific sources, and some of them might surprise you.

Delivery Truck Noise

Sandy City bars loading, unloading or handling boxes, crates, containers or garbage containers between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. if it violates the district noise limits or causes a noise disturbance. The rule targets delivery and dock activity near homes and businesses overnight.

Key details: Restricted hours: 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Residential night limit: 50 dB(A) at boundary. Enforcing agency: Salt Lake City-County Health Dept.. Penalty class: Infraction, per-day offense. Relief option: Hardship permit, § 13-2-8.

A violation of Chapter 13-2 is an infraction under Section 13-2-11, and each day a violation continues or is permitted to continue is a separate offense. Violations of Sections 13-2-4 through 13-2-9 are also declared a nuisance under Section 13-2-12, subject to summary abatement by restraining order or injunction from a court of competent jurisdiction.

Generator Noise

Sandy City limits power equipment rated over five horsepower, including generators, to 82 dB(A) at 50 feet, and bars running it outdoors in residential or commercial zones between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Domestic-size equipment of five horsepower or less is capped lower, at 74 dB(A).

Key details: Generator (>5 hp) limit: 82 dB(A) at 50 feet. Domestic equipment (≤5 hp) limit: 74 dB(A) at 50 feet. Restricted hours: 9:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.. Pure-tone/cyclical penalty: Minus 5 dB(A) allowance, § 13-2-5(c). Enforcing agency: Salt Lake City-County Health Dept..

A violation of Section 13-2-4 or 13-2-5 is an infraction under Section 13-2-11, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense, and is additionally declared a nuisance subject to court-ordered summary abatement under Section 13-2-12.

Bar & Nightclub Noise

Sandy City holds a bar or nightclub, like any commercial-agricultural district source, to 60 dB(A) by day and 55 dB(A) at night measured at the property boundary, and separately caps in-venue speaker sound at 100 dB(A) unless a hearing-impairment warning sign is posted.

Key details: Commercial-agricultural day limit: 60 dB(A) at boundary. Commercial-agricultural night limit: 55 dB(A) at boundary. Indoor speaker cap w/o sign: 100 dB(A) at customer point. Required warning sign: ≥225 sq. in., posted at entrance. Pure-tone/bass penalty: Minus 5 dB(A) allowance.

A violation of Section 13-2-4 or 13-2-5 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 summary abatement by court injunction.

HVAC & Mechanical Noise

A rooftop or condenser unit in Sandy is a stationary noise source and cannot push sound above 50 dB(A) at night or 55 dB(A) by day at a residential property boundary, with a five decibel penalty added if the unit's hum is a steady tone or cyclical.

Key details: Residential night limit: 50 dB(A) at boundary. Residential day limit: 55 dB(A) at boundary. Measurement period: 10-minute minimum, L90. Pure-tone/hum penalty: Minus 5 dB(A) allowance. Cycling-noise cap: L10 no more than 15 dB(A) above L90.

A violation of Section 13-2-5 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 abatement by restraining order or injunction.

Low-Frequency Bass Limits

Sandy makes it unlawful to run a car radio, CD player, or musical instrument so loud it is plainly audible 100 feet from the vehicle on public property or rights-of-way. Sandy City Code § 14-10-12 defines plainly audible to include bass that is readily discernible by normal sensibilities at that distance.

Key details: Audibility distance: 100 feet from the vehicle. Covers: Radio, CD player, TV, musical instrument. Bass specifically named: Included in 'plainly audible' definition. Where it applies: Public property and public rights-of-way. Penalty: Infraction under § 14-3-1.

Playing a vehicle stereo, CD player, or instrument loud enough to be plainly audible, including just the bass, 100 feet away on a public street or right-of-way violates § 14-10-12 and is punishable as an infraction under the Title 14 general penalty in § 14-3-1, absent a greater underlying offense.

The Bottom Line

Sandy'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 Sandy is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Sandy can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.