Noise Ordinances in Milwaukee, WI (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Milwaukee, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Milwaukee's noise code defines night as 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. and cuts the allowable noise level in residential districts from 55 down to 45 on the Noise Rating Number scale during those hours, measured at the property line.
Milwaukee Quiet Hours: 9 PM to 7 AM
Some RestrictionsMilwaukee Code of Ordinances §§ 80-60-8, 80-63-1, 80-64-1
NIGHT shall mean the hours between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. ... No person shall produce, assist in producing or cause to be produced noise which exceeds the limitations set forth in s. 80-64 or 80-65. ... NOISE RATING NUMBER DISTRICT DAY NIGHT Residential Districts 55 45
Construction Hours
Construction sites and public works are exempt from Milwaukee's daytime noise limits only from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Milwaukee Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsMilwaukee Code of Ordinances § 80-67
The daytime criteria, as set forth in s. 80-64-1, 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 proper equipment operation and maintenance. Stationary equipment construction projects la...
Barking Dogs
Milwaukee bars owning or harboring any bird or animal whose frequent, habitual howling or barking seriously disturbs neighbors, but no prosecution can start without a signed written complaint from an affected adult resident.
Milwaukee Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsMilwaukee Code of Ordinances § 78-29 (Volume 1, General Ordinances)
No person may own, keep, have in his or her possession or harbor any bird or animal which by frequent and habitual howling, yelping, barking or otherwise shall cause serious annoyance or disturbance to persons in the neighborhood. No prosecution may be commenced except upon the request of the commissioner following written complaint signed by one or more affected adult p...
Leaf Blower Rules
Milwaukee exempts lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other garden power tools from its community noise standards, but bans running them between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. under the nuisance ordinance's noise-curfew rule.
Milwaukee Leaf Blower and Lawn Tool Hours
Some RestrictionsMilwaukee Code of Ordinances § 80-67-4
Powered equipment such as lawn mowers, small lawn and garden tools, riding tractors and snow removal equipment which is necessary for the maintenance of property, is kept in good repair and maintenance, and which equipment, when new, would not comply with the standards set forth in this subchapter, shall be exempted from the provisions of s. 80-64-1. No person shall oper...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Milwaukee caps outdoor noise, including amplified music, at 55 to 65 decibels by day and 45 to 60 decibels at night depending on the zoning district, measured at the property line, under the city's excessive-noise ordinance.
Milwaukee Outdoor Amplified Music Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsMilwaukee Code of Ordinances § 80-63 (Excessive Noise Prohibited); numeric limits set in § 80-64, variance procedure in § 80-66 (Volume 1, General Ordinances, Ch. 80 Nuisances)
80-63. Excessive Noise Prohibited. 1. No person shall produce, assist in producing or cause to be produced noise which exceeds the limitations set forth in s. 80-64 or 80-65. It shall be unlawful for any person occupying or having charge or control of any building or premises, or any part thereof, to cause, suffer or allow any loud, excessive or unusual noise in the operation of any radio, ster...
Decibel Limits
Milwaukee caps noise from sources in Industrial Districts at a noise rating number of 65 by day and 55 by night, measured at the lot line under the city's excessive-noise ordinance.
Milwaukee Industrial Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsMilwaukee Code of Ordinances § 80-64-1
80-64. Criteria to Determine Excessive Noise. 1. NOISE LIMITATIONS. The following noise limitations are established for any premises in the following zoning districts, as measured at the lot line: NOISE RATING NUMBER DISTRICT DAY NIGHT ... Other Commercial Districts 60 50 ... Industrial Districts 65 55 ... Planned Development adjacent to an IH or IM district 65 55
Vehicle Noise
Milwaukee bans squealing tires, revving engines, loud mufflers, and unattended car alarms, with fines of $100 to $200 per violation.
Milwaukee Bans Unnecessary Vehicle Noise
Some RestrictionsMilwaukee Code of Ordinances § 101-20-1 (Volume 1, general ordinances)
No person shall make unnecessary and annoying noises with a motor vehicle, by squealing tires, excessive acceleration of engine, by emitting unnecessary and loud muffler noises, or by suffering or permitting his or her unattended motor vehicle's audio alarm to be activated without evidence of any tampering with the doors, locks, windows or any other part of the motor veh...
Looking for Milwaukee County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Milwaukee city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Milwaukee County →