Noise Ordinances in Wilmington, DE (2026)

Wilmington City Code § 11-60(c)(11)

Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or generally creating a racket on public streets between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. so as to annoy and disturb the quiet comfort or repose of persons or to cause a noise disturbance in any business or residence districts, or of any persons in the vicinity.

Wilmington City Code § 11-60(c)(7)

(7)Construction noise. Operating or causing to be operated any equipment or construction tools used in commercial or noncommercial construction, repair, alteration, or demolition work on buildings, structures, streets, alleys, or appurtenances thereto... In business and industrial districts at any time before 7:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; before 9:00 a.m. and after 10:0...

Wilmington City Code § 11-60(c)(5)

Animals and birds. Owning, possessing, harboring or controlling any animal or bird which barks, bays, cries or squawks or makes any other noise continuously or incessantly for a period of ten minutes or makes such noise intermittently for one-half hour or more thereby causing a noise disturbance within a receiving property; provided, however, that at the time the animal or bird is making such n...

Wilmington City Code § 11-60(c)(3)

Using or operating any mechanical device or loudspeaker in a fixed or movable position exterior to any building, or mounted upon any aircraft, motor vehicle or amphibious craft, such that the sound therefrom causes a noise disturbance or is plainly audible at or beyond the property boundary of the source, or on a public way, except as provided below.

Wilmington City Code § 11-66(c)

(c)Aircraft and railroad noise limits. All aircraft and railroads operating within the boundaries of the city shall comply with all applicable federal and state noise regulations.

Wilmington City Code § 11-65(b)(5)

No persons shall operate or cause to be operated any stationary source of sound in such a manner as to create a 24-hour equivalent A-weighted sound level which exceeds the leq limits set forth for the receiving land use category below and measured at the point of complaint origination within the property boundary of the receiving land use:a.Residence districts: 65 dBA between the hours of 7:00 ...

Wilmington City Code § 11-60(c)(2)

Operating or permitting the use or operation of any radio receiving set, musical instrument, television, phonograph, drum, sound amplifier, automobile radio, automobile stereo or high fidelity equipment, or other device which produces, reproduces, or amplifies sound: ... In such a manner, at any time during any 24-hour day, and so as to be plainly audible across real property boundaries or thro...