Noise Ordinances in Dubuque, IA (2026)
5 verified noise ordinances for Dubuque, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Construction Hours
Dubuque restricts loud construction noise to 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday through Friday and 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. on weekends under City Code Section 6-5-1(F). Pile drivers and pneumatic hammers face a tighter 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. weekday window under Section 6-5-1(G) and must run with an effective muffling device.
Dubuque Construction Noise Hour Limits
Some RestrictionsDubuque City Code Section 6-5-1(F)
No person shall intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with wanton disregard for the distress of those nearby cause or permit any loud and excessive noise that results in annoyance or discomfort to a reasonable person of normal sensitivities. ... ... F. Construction: The creation of any loud or excessive noise resulting from erection, excavation, demolition, alteration or repairs related to a...
Barking Dogs
Dubuque code defines excessive barking heard from the public right-of-way as a dog nuisance, and 7-6B-5 makes it unlawful for an owner to let that nuisance continue. The rule sits alongside waste, aggression, and vehicle-chasing as nuisance triggers.
Barking Dog Nuisance Law in Dubuque, Iowa
Some RestrictionsDubuque City Code §§ 7-6B-1, 7-6B-5
NUISANCE: ... A dog or cat shall be considered a nuisance if it: A. Damages, soils, defiles or defecates on private property other than the owner's or keeper's or on public walks and recreation areas unless such waste is immediately removed and properly disposed of by the owner or keeper. B. Causes unsanitary, dangerous or offensive conditions. C. Causes a disturbance by excessive barking or ot...
Leaf Blower Rules
Dubuque exempts lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other small garden tools from the general noise ban only if run within set hours: 8:00 A.M. to sunset Monday through Friday, and 9:00 A.M. to sunset Saturday and Sunday, under City Code Section 6-5-3(C). Snow removal equipment is excused from the hours limit.
Dubuque Leaf Blower and Lawn Tool Hours
Some RestrictionsDubuque City Code Section 6-5-3(C)
C. Lawn Mowers, Garden Tools: Powered equipment, such as lawn mowers, small lawn and garden tools, riding tractors and snow removal equipment that is necessary for the maintenance of property, if kept in good repair and maintenance, shall be exempt from the prohibitions of section 6-5-1 of this chapter. No person shall operate such equipment, however, with the exception of snow removal equipm...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Dubuque bars outdoor music or amplified noise overnight under City Code Section 6-5-1(M): the cutoff is 10:00 P.M. Sunday through Thursday nights and midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, running until 9:00 A.M. the next morning, whenever the person responsible knows or should know it will disturb a reasonable person's peace.
Dubuque Amplified Outdoor Music Hours
Some RestrictionsDubuque City Code Section 6-5-1(M)
M. Outdoor Music Or Amplified Noise: 1. The making or continuing to make any outdoor music or amplified noise between the hours of ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. on Sunday and nine o'clock (9:00) A.M. on Monday, ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. on Monday and nine o'clock (9:00) A.M. on Tuesday, ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. on Tuesday and nine o'clock (9:00) A.M. on Wednesday, ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. on Wedn...
Vehicle Noise
Dubuque bans sounding a vehicle horn for any unnecessary or unreasonable period except as a danger warning, and requires every motor vehicle exhaust to run through a muffler that stops loud or explosive noise, under City Code § 6-5-1(A) and (J), enforced by the City Manager's office.
Dubuque Vehicle Horn And Exhaust Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsDubuque City Code § 6-5-1(A), (J)
A. Horns, Signaling Devices: The sounding of any horn or signaling device such as that on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle on any street or public place of the City, except as a danger warning, or the sounding of any such device for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time. ... ... J. Exhausts: The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any engine, including a steam...