Noise Ordinances in Cleveland, OH (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Cleveland, Ohio, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Cleveland prohibits unreasonably loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noise under §605.10. No specific decibel limits for general noise: uses a 'plainly audible' standard. Music and audio devices must not be audible beyond the room they are played in.
Cleveland Quiet Hours & Noise Ordinance
Some RestrictionsOhio Revised Code Section 2917.11
(A) No person shall recklessly cause inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm to another by doing any of the following: (1) Engaging in fighting, in threatening harm to persons or property, or in violent or turbulent behavior; (2) Making unreasonable noise or an offensively coarse utterance, gesture, or display or communicating unwarranted and grossly abusive language to any person; (3) Insulting, ta...
Construction Hours
Cleveland bars construction and demolition noise between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. within 500 feet of homes under Codified Ordinances § 605.10(b)(8). Compressed-air tools face the same cutoff, though jackhammers get a weekday 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. carve-out under § 605.10(b)(6).
Cleveland Construction Noise Hours: 7 AM-7 PM
Some RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 605.10(b)(8)
The making of any unnecessary noise by a person or by his or her operation of any instrument, device, agency or vehicle, and/or the performance of any construction or demolition activity or the operation of any mechanical, electrical, pneumatically, hydraulically powered or battery operated apparatus used in connection with any construction or demolition activity between the hours of 7:00 p.m. ...
Barking Dogs
Cleveland prohibits animal noise that disturbs residents under §605.10 general noise provisions. Cuyahoga County sets a specific threshold of 20 minutes of barking within one hour for enforcement.
Cleveland Barking Dog Regulations
Some RestrictionsOhio Revised Code Section 955.22
(B)(1) No owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog that is not an animal shelter for dogs shall negligently, and no animal shelter for dogs that keeps or harbors a dog shall recklessly, fail to prevent the dog from committing a vicious dog act. Whoever violates this division is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree on a first offense and a misdemeanor of the second degree on each subsequent of...
Leaf Blower Rules
Cleveland allows gas and electric leaf blowers without a citywide ban, but operation is restricted by the general noise ordinance in CCO Part 6 Chapter 683 during nighttime hours.
Cleveland Leaf Blower Rules
Few RestrictionsOhio Rev. Code § 2917.11 - Disorderly conduct
No person shall recklessly cause inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm to another by doing any of the following: (1) Engaging in fighting, in threatening harm to persons or property, or in violent or turbulent behavior; (2) Making unreasonable noise or an offensively coarse utterance, gesture, or display or communicating unwarranted and grossly abusive language to any person; (3) Insulting, taunti...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Cleveland requires a $25 permit from the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses before using drums, loudspeakers or other amplifying devices outdoors to promote a performance, show, or sale, capped at 30 days a year per location under § 683.06.
Cleveland Outdoor Commercial Sound Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 683.06(a) (Permit Required for Sound Devices or Sound Amplifying Devices Which Promote Commercial Activities)
No person shall play or use any drum, loudspeaker, radio, audio system or other instrument or sound amplifying device for the purpose of creating noise to attract attention to any performance or show or any sale or display of merchandise without first obtaining a permit therefor in accordance with Section 683.07.
Decibel Limits
Cleveland caps motor vehicle noise at 95 decibels measured five feet from the source, under Codified Ordinances § 437.20(e). The limit is a flat citywide standard, it does not vary by zoning district or time of day, and pairs with the same section's muffler and exhaust-modification bans.
Cleveland's 95-Decibel Vehicle Noise Limit
Some RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 437.20(e)
No person shall operate any motor vehicle which produces a sound or noise in excess of ninety-five (95) decibels as measured not less than five (5) feet from the source of such sound or noise. The term “decibel” means a unit for measurement of relative sound levels as indicated by a sound level meter having those properties essential for the purpose of administration and enforcement of this sec...
Vehicle Noise
Cleveland bans muffler cutouts, bypass devices, and any exhaust modification that makes a vehicle louder than its factory setup. Every motor vehicle needs a maintained, adequate muffler; motorcycles need a compound muffler. Violations are a minor misdemeanor under Chapter 437's general penalty section.
Cleveland Vehicle Muffler and Exhaust Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 437.20(c)
No person shall own, operate or have in his or her possession any motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine which is not equipped with an adequate muffler or a motorcycle which is not equipped with a compound muffler, in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise or sound, and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, by-pass ...
Looking for Cuyahoga County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cleveland city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Cuyahoga County →