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Noise Ordinances in Kenosha, WI (2026)

6 verified noise ordinances for Kenosha, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Quiet Hours

Kenosha's noise ordinance sets a citywide 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. quiet period during which radios, TVs, musical instruments and amplifiers cannot create a "noise disturbance" across a property line, with a stricter 50 dBA ceiling on measured sound in residential and similar districts overnight.

Kenosha 10 PM to 7 AM Noise Curfew

Some Restrictions

Kenosha, WI Code of General Ordinances § 23.05(B)(1)(a); § 23.06(A) Table 1

Between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. the following day in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a real property boundary; except for activities open to the public and for which a permit has been issued by the Department of Public Works for the City of Kenosha, Wisconsin, according to criteria set forth in Section 23.06... TABLE 1. SOUND LEVELS ... 7:00 A.M.-10:00 P.M. /...

Construction Hours

Kenosha exempts construction sites, public utilities and public works projects from the Table 1 decibel limits only during daytime hours, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday under City Code § 23.09.A. Outside that window, and on Sundays, construction noise falls back under the standard zoning decibel limits.

Kenosha Construction Noise Hours

Some Restrictions

City of Kenosha Code of General Ordinances § 23.09.A

Daytime means the hours from 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. ... A.Construction Sites, Public Utilities, Public Works. The daytime criteria as set forth in Section 23.06 shall not apply to construction sites, public utilities and public works projects and operations during the daytime hours from Monday through Saturday, inclusive; provided, however, that noise production shall be minimized through prop...

Barking Dogs

Kenosha bans keeping a dog whose loud, frequent or habitual barking, yelping or howling causes serious annoyance to the neighborhood. City Code § 14.01.C also forbids letting a fierce or vicious dog run at large, backed by a $50 to $200 forfeiture.

Kenosha Barking Dog Nuisance Law

Some Restrictions

Kenosha, WI Code of General Ordinances § 14.01.C

No person shall keep or harbor within the City any dog which by loud or frequent or habitual barking, yelping, or howling shall cause serious annoyance to the neighborhood or to persons passing to and from upon the streets. No owner or a person harboring a fierce or vicious dog shall suffer the same to run at large at any time within the City.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Kenosha bans radios, stereos and sound amplifiers from creating a "noise disturbance" across a property line between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., caps noncommercial loudspeaker use overnight, and sets zone-based decibel ceilings up to 75 dBA in manufacturing districts.

Kenosha Amplified Sound and Loudspeaker Limits

Some Restrictions

Kenosha, WI Code of General Ordinances §§ 23.05(B)(1)-(2), 23.06(A)

Radio, Television Sets, Musical Instruments and Similar Devices. Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instruments, sound amplifier, or similar device which produces, reproduces or amplifies sound:a.Between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. the following day in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a rea...

Decibel Limits

Kenosha caps sound at the receiving property line under City Code § 23.06's Table 1: 60 dBA in residential, public-space, open-space, agricultural and institutional zones from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., dropping to 50 dBA overnight. Commercial zones B-1 through B-4 hold to 70 dBA and industrial zones M-1/M-2 to 75 dBA at all times.

Kenosha Noise Decibel Limits by Zone

Some Restrictions

City of Kenosha Code of General Ordinances § 23.06

A.Maximum Permissible Sound Levels By Land Use. No person shall operate or cause to be operated on private property any source of sound in such a manner as to create a sound level which exceeds the limits sets forth in Table 1. when measured at or within the property boundary of the receiving land use. TABLE 1. SOUND LEVELS Transmitting Land Use Zoning Time Sound Level Limit, dBA A-1, A-2, C-1,...

Vehicle Noise

Kenosha bars modifying a vehicle's exhaust or intake muffler to increase its noise above factory level, and separately prohibits tire squealing, unnecessary horn use and engine racing on city streets under City Code §§ 23.13.C and 23.13.E. A car stereo audible 50 feet from the vehicle on a public right-of-way also violates the noise-disturbance rule in § 23.05.B.1.c.

Kenosha Vehicle Muffler and Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

City of Kenosha Code of General Ordinances §§ 23.05.B.1.c, 23.13.C, 23.13.E

c.In such a manner as to create a noise disturbance at fifty (50) feet from such device, when operated in or on a motor vehicle on a public right-of-way or public space, or in a boat on public waters; ... C.Modification of Vehicular Equipment. No persons shall modify or change the exhaust muffler, intake muffler or any other noise abatement device of a vehicle in such a manner that the noise em...

Looking for Kenosha County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kenosha city rules.

Noise Ordinances in Kenosha County