Noise Ordinances in Waukegan, IL (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Waukegan, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Waukegan caps continuous sound at 50 dbA in residential districts, 55 dbA in commercial districts and 75 dbA in industrial districts between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Readings above those night limits at the property line are prima facie evidence of unlawful noise under the city code.
Waukegan Nighttime Noise Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsWaukegan, IL Code of Ordinances § 11-32
(a)Established; measurement. The maximum permissible sound pressure levels of any continuous source of sound shall be as herein established for the time period and district listed in Table A of this section... Sound pressure levels in excess of those established for the districts of the city, in times herewith listed, shall constitute prima facie evidence that such sound is an unnecessary noise...
Construction Hours
Waukegan's 50-foot amplified-sound ban does not apply to construction, demolition or repair noise generated between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., so contractors working within that window are shielded from the city's Section 11-34 noise citation.
Waukegan Construction Noise Exempt 7 AM-8 PM
Some RestrictionsWaukegan, IL Code of Ordinances § 11-34(c)(4)
(c)This section shall not apply to any of the following:(1)Sound generated in conjuncture with a city-sponsored event;(2)A person participating in a parade, public assembly or athletic event for which, a permit has been obtained pursuant to chapter 15, article V of this Code;(3)An emergency warning device or alarm sounded for emergency purposes;(4)Sound generated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. ...
Barking Dogs
Waukegan Code § 4-8 bans letting a dog or other animal make excessive noise, like continual barking or howling louder than normal conversation at 50 feet, that disturbs a neighbor's peace. Fines escalate from $25.00 for a first offense to $150.00 for a third or later offense, with each day a separate violation.
Waukegan Fines Excessive Animal Noise
Some RestrictionsWaukegan, IL Code of Ordinances § 4-8(a), (b), (d)
Excessive noise means any continued, repeated or habitual barking, whining, crying, howling, whimpering, crowing, or other loud noise common to an animal's species that occurs repeatedly throughout the day or night, and is louder than the average conversational level at a distance of 50 feet or more. ... (b)Conduct prohibited. It shall be unlawful for a person who owns, controls, has possession...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Waukegan bans playing or operating any device that creates or amplifies sound for entertainment or communication on the public way, or in a vehicle on the public way, if it is audible 50 feet or more away. A first violation costs $300.00, rising to $1,000.00 for repeat offenses.
Waukegan's 50-Foot Amplified Sound Ban
Significant RestrictionsWaukegan, IL Code of Ordinances § 11-34(a),(b),(d)
(a)No person shall play, use, operate or permit to be played, used or operated, any device or instrument that creates or amplifies sound, including but not limited to any loudspeaker, bullhorn, amplifier, public address system, musical instrument, live band, radio or device that plays recorded music, to generate any sound, for the purpose of communication or entertainment on the public way or i...
Decibel Limits
Waukegan caps continuous sound at the property line by zoning district and time of day under Sec. 11-32's Table A: 55 dBA by day and 50 dBA at night in residential districts, 60/55 in commercial, and 80/75 in industrial. Exceeding the limit for the district and hour is automatic evidence of unnecessary noise.
Waukegan Zone-Based Decibel Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsWaukegan City Code § 11-32(a), Table A
The maximum permissible sound pressure levels of any continuous source of sound shall be as herein established for the time period and district listed in Table A of this section. ... Sound pressure levels in excess of those established for the districts of the city, in times herewith listed, shall constitute prima facie evidence that such sound is an unnecessary noise. TABLE A Sound Pressure Le...
Vehicle Noise
Waukegan requires every motor vehicle, motorboat, stationary engine, and air compressor to run with a working muffler in constant use, and bans exhaust cutouts, bypasses, or similar devices that let noise escape unmuffled. Sec. 11-31 makes discharging exhaust without an adequate, well-maintained muffler a violation on its own, separate from the city's numeric noise limits.
Waukegan Muffler and Vehicle Exhaust Noise Law
Some RestrictionsWaukegan City Code § 11-31
No person shall discharge into the open air the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, air compressor equipment, motorboat, motor vehicle or other power device, which is not equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any unnecessary noise, and no such muffler or exhaust system shall be modified or used with a cutout, b...
Looking for Lake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Waukegan city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Lake County →