Noise Ordinances in Madison, WI (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Madison, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Madison has no clock-based curfew for everyday noise; instead MGO § 24.04(1)-(2) bans any noise that 'unreasonably disturbs the peace and quiet' of neighbors at any hour, day or night. Zoning-based decibel caps in § 24.08 back it up for stationary sources, running as low as 65 dBA in residential districts.
Madison General Noise Disturbance Ban
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 24.04(1)-(2)
(1)It shall be unlawful for any person to make or assist in making any noise tending to unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet of persons in the vicinity thereof unless the making and continuing of the same cannot be prevented and is necessary for the protection or preservation of property or of the health, safety, life or limb of some person.(2)It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corp...
Construction Hours
Madison restricts noisy construction equipment to 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday under MGO § 24.08(3)(f). Running equipment outside those windows in a way that unreasonably disturbs neighbors is prohibited unless the Common Council grants an after-hours exception following a Board of Public Works hearing.
Madison Construction Noise Hour Limits
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 24.08(3)(f)
(f)Limited Exemptions for Construction Noise.1.Monday through Saturday. No person shall operate or permit the operation of any equipment used in construction work between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., from Monday through Saturday, in such a manner as to unreasonably interfere with the peace, comfort and quality of life of neighboring persons of ordinary sensibilities, except as otherwis...
Barking Dogs
Madison makes it unlawful under MGO § 24.04(4) for anyone in charge of a building or premises to keep an animal or bird that 'habitually' disturbs neighbors' peace and quiet with its noise. There's no numeric bark-count or decibel trigger: a pattern of disturbance is what matters, enforced like any other Chapter 24 noise complaint.
Madison Barking Dog Noise Nuisance
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 24.04(4)
(4)Animal or Bird Noise. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or other entity operating, having charge of, or occupying any building or premises to keep or allow to be kept any animal or bird which shall habitually by any noise disturb the peace and quiet of any person in the vicinity thereof.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Madison confines amplified music and voice on city streets to two daily windows, noon to 1:30 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., under MGO § 24.04(3)(a). Downtown State Street Mall performers need a separate Parks Division amplification permit tied to specific plazas and hours.
Madison Amplified Sound Hours Limit
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 24.04(3)(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or other entity to use or operate, or cause to be used or operated in or upon any City public street, or from any aircraft, any device, apparatus or instrument for the amplification of the human voice or any sound or noise, or other sound-making or sound reproducing device except between the hours of 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. a...
Decibel Limits
Madison caps stationary noise at 65, 70, or 75 dBA depending on the receiving property's zoning district, under MGO § 24.08(6)(a). Residential and conservancy districts get the strictest 65 dBA ceiling regardless of where the noise originates.
Madison Maximum Sound Level by Zone
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 24.08(6)(a)
(a)General Limitations: Effective upon the enactment of this ordinance, in the following zoning districts (as set forth in Chapter 28, Madison General Ordinances) the sound emitted from any source of stationary noise shall not exceed the following limits at any point within a receiving zone which point is outside of the property line of the source of the stationary noise: Receiving Zone Classif...
Vehicle Noise
MGO § 24.09 caps light motor vehicle noise at 80 dBA measured from 15 feet, bans excessive noise from modified exhausts or unnecessary revving, and bars playing a car stereo audible from 50 feet or more, with exceptions for emergencies and public events.
Madison Vehicle Noise and Stereo Limits
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 24.09(4),(6)
(4)80 dBA Noise Limit. It shall be unlawful for any person to cause noise levels from the operation of a light motor vehicle in excess of 80 dBA at any location within the corporate limits of the City of Madison. Measurement can be made at any distance greater than or equal to fifteen (15) feet from the closest approach to the vehicle. ... (6)(a) ...no person may operate or park, stop or leave ...
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