Noise Ordinances in Kalamazoo, MI (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Kalamazoo, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
The City of Kalamazoo bans any 'excessive or unusually loud noise' that disturbs a person's comfort, repose, health, peace or safety anywhere within city limits, at any hour, under City Code § 21-6. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers and City-trained noise-control staff enforce it, and other Chapter 21 sections list disturbances that automatically count as violations.
Kalamazoo General Noise Prohibition
Some RestrictionsKalamazoo City Code § 21-6.A
It shall be unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made or continued any excessive or unusually loud noise or any noise, measured or unmeasured, which either disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of any person within the limits of the City.
Construction Hours
Kalamazoo sets no fixed construction start and stop time; instead, City Code § 21-20 prohibits any construction or repair work, or operation of pile drivers, steam shovels, pneumatic hammers or similar equipment, if it disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of any person, unless the contractor has a hardship permit from the City Manager under § 21-23.
Kalamazoo Construction Noise Barred Absent Hardship Permit
Significant RestrictionsKalamazoo City Code §§ 21-20, 21-23
The performing of any construction or repair work on buildings, structures or projects, or the operating of any pile driver, steam shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick, steam or electric hoist or other construction-type device, in such a manner as to disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of any person, is prohibited, except in cases of unnecessary hardship. In such cases, a permit shall be obtained...
Barking Dogs
City Code § 7-3 defines an animal "nuisance" to include habitually disturbing noises, and §§ 7-11 and 7-23 make it unlawful for a Kalamazoo owner to keep any animal, or specifically a dog, that commits that nuisance, giving Public Safety and County Animal Control a code basis to act on chronic barking complaints.
Kalamazoo Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsKalamazoo City Code §§ 7-3, 7-11, 7-23
NUISANCE Includes, but is not limited to, any animal which makes/creates habitually disturbing noises, foul or offensive odors, unsanitary conditions, or chases pedestrians, bicycles or motor vehicles. ... ... § 7-11. Nuisance. ... It shall be unlawful for any owner to keep any animal which causes a public nuisance as defined in § 7-3. § 7- ... ... 23. Nuisance. It shall be unlawful for any per...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
City Code § 21-9 prohibits installing, using or operating a loudspeaker or sound-amplifying equipment for commercial purposes anywhere in the City of Kalamazoo if it disturbs a person's quiet, comfort or repose. Violating the disturbance standard is automatically treated as prima facie evidence of breaking the general noise prohibition too.
Kalamazoo Commercial Loudspeaker Noise Ban
Some RestrictionsKalamazoo City Code § 21-9
The installing, using or operating, within the City, of a loudspeaker or sound-amplifying equipment, for commercial purposes, in such a manner as to disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of any person is prohibited. The operation of any such equipment or device in such a manner as to be in violation of § 21-6 shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
Aircraft Noise
Flights conducted in accordance with federal law, federal air regulations and air traffic control instructions are exempt from every noise limit in Kalamazoo's Chapter 21, per § 21-22E. That means the dB(A) limits, the loudspeaker rules and the general disturbance standard in the City of Kalamazoo's noise ordinance don't reach aircraft noise regulated by the FAA.
Kalamazoo Noise Code Exempts Federally Regulated Aircraft
Few RestrictionsKalamazoo City Code § 21-22E
The provisions of this article shall not apply to: ... ... E. Flights of aircraft which are in all respects conducted in accordance with, or pursuant to, federal law, federal air regulations and air traffic control instructions.
Decibel Limits
City Code § 21-7.B sets hard dB(A) ceilings for noise crossing a property line in the City of Kalamazoo: 50 dB(A) daytime and 45 dB(A) overnight in residential and special-purpose zones, 55/50 dB(A) in commercial zones, and 75/70 dB(A) in manufacturing zones. Exceeding the limit for the zone and time of day is prima facie evidence of a Chapter 21 violation.
Kalamazoo Noise Decibel Limits by Zone
Some RestrictionsKalamazoo City Code § 21-7.B(1)
The maximum decibel limits on noise originating from private property shall be as set forth in the following table. Noise will be measured at the boundaries of the lot. ... Zones dB(A) Maximum Limitations 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Residential/Special Purpose 50 dB(A) 45 dB(A) Commercial 55 dB(A) 50 dB(A) Manufacturing 75 dB(A) 70 dB(A)
Vehicle Noise
City Code § 21-7.C sets dB(A) ceilings for vehicles on Kalamazoo streets, from 82 dB(A) for cars to 90 dB(A) for heavy trucks, and separately bans driving with a defective, missing or cut-out muffler. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers enforce both the numeric limits and the equipment rule under Chapter 21.
Kalamazoo Vehicle Exhaust Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsKalamazoo City Code § 21-7.C(1)(b), (c)
A motor vehicle shall not be operated or driven on a highway or street if the motor vehicle produces total vehicle noise exceeding one of the following limits: Maximum Lawful Speed of Street or Highway Stationary Run-Up Test Greater than 35 miles per hour Not more than 35 miles per hour ... Motor ... cycle or moped 86 dB(A) at 50 feet 82 dB(A) at 50 feet 95 dB(A) at 75 inches ... A person shall...