Noise Ordinances in Chicago, IL (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Chicago, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Chicago bars amplified sound audible beyond 100 feet from private property between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., extending the citywide noise curfew into yards, backyards, and gangways.
Chicago Quiet Hours: 10 PM–8 AM
Some RestrictionsMCC § 8-32-070(b)
Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., no person on any private open space shall employ any device or instrument that creates or amplifies sound, including but not limited to any loudspeaker, bullhorn, amplifier, public address system, musical instrument, radio or device that plays recorded music, to generate any sound, for the purpose of communication or entertainment, that is louder t...
Construction Hours
Chicago bans fuel- or electric-powered construction, repair, or demolition equipment within 600 feet of homes or hospitals between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Chicago Construction Equipment Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsMunicipal Code of Chicago § 8-32-140(a)
No person shall use or cause the use of any mechanical equipment or tool operated by fuel or electric power in building, construction, repair or demolition operations between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. within 600 feet of any residential building or hospital. (b) The limitation of this section does not apply to any construction, demolition or repair work of an emergency nature or ...
Barking Dogs
Chicago bans letting a dog or other animal make excessive noise that disturbs neighbors' peace, day or night, under Municipal Code § 7-12-100.
Chicago Excessive Animal Noise Ban
Some RestrictionsMunicipal Code of Chicago § 7-12-100
It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, controls, has possession of or is charged with the responsibility for caring for any dog or other animal to allow such animal to make excessive noise in a manner that unnecessarily disturbs the comfort, quiet, peace or repose of any other person in the vicinity, at any time of the day or night. Any person who violates this section shall be fined not...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Chicago bans amplified sound louder than conversational level 100 feet away on the public way anytime, and on private property between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., under Municipal Code 8-32-070.
Chicago Amplified Sound Decibel and Time Limits
Some RestrictionsMunicipal Code of Chicago § 8-32-070(a)
No person on the public way shall employ any device or instrument that creates or amplifies sound, including but not limited to any loudspeaker, bullhorn, amplifier, public address system, musical instrument, radio or device that plays recorded music, to generate any sound, for the purpose of communication or entertainment, that is louder than average conversational level at a distance of 100 f...
Aircraft Noise
Chicago regulates aircraft noise primarily through O'Hare and Midway airport noise abatement programs administered by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA). The city has invested over $1 billion in residential sound insulation programs for homes near both airports.
Chicago Aircraft Noise Regulations
Some Restrictions620 ILCS 35/5, 35/10, 35/15 - Permanent Noise Monitoring Act
"Airport" means an airport, as defined in Section 6 of the Illinois Aeronautics Act, that has more than 500,000 aircraft operations (take-offs and landings) per year... No later than December 31, 2008, each airport shall have an operable permanent noise monitoring system. The system shall be operated by the airport sponsor... On or before June 30, 2018, each airport shall upgrade its permanent ...
Decibel Limits
Chicago caps mechanical stationary equipment noise at 55 dB(A) from 100 feet or 70 dB(A) from 10 feet, enforced nightly 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Chicago Mechanical Equipment Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsMunicipal Code of Chicago § 8-32-090
No person shall operate or permit operation of any mechanical stationary equipment in such a manner as to generate sound having a sound pressure level greater than 55 dB(A) when measured from a distance of 100 feet or more from the mechanical stationary equipment, or 70 dB(A) when measured from a distance of 10 feet or more from the mechanical stationary equipment. The place of measurement shal...
Vehicle Noise
Chicago bans car stereos audible beyond 75 feet on the public way and requires every vehicle to run a working muffler, outlawing cutouts and straight pipes citywide.
Chicago Vehicle Stereo and Muffler Rules
Some RestrictionsMunicipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-145(a)
No person shall play, use, operate, or permit to be played, used or operated, a device for receiving broadcast sound or reproducing recorded sound in any motor vehicle on the public way in a manner or at a volume such that the sound generated by the device is clearly audible to a person with normal hearing at a distance greater than 75 feet. This section shall not apply between the hours of 8:0...
Looking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chicago city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Cook County →