Noise Ordinances in Dane County, WI (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Barking Dogs
Dane County Code ch. 47.19 bars anyone owning, renting, leasing, operating or occupying a building or premises from keeping an animal that disturbs the peace and quiet of neighbors. The rule exempts farm animals and guard dogs kept on a farm operation, as long as those dogs stay at least 1,500 feet from a neighboring residence.
Dane County Barking Dog Nuisance Ordinance
Some RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 47.19(1)-(2)
47.19 KEEPING OF BARKING DOGS PROHIBITED. (1) No person, firm or corporation owning, renting, leasing, operating, having charge of, or occupying any building or premises shall keep or allow to be kept any animal which shall disturb the peace and quiet of people living in the vicinity thereof. (2) Sub. (1) does not apply to farm animals, as defined in sec. 951.01, Wisconsin Statutes, nor does it...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Dane County Code § 34.04 bans excessive noise, including amplified radios, phonographs, tape and disc players, and other electrical devices, loud enough to unreasonably disturb the peace, comfort, or repose of nearby residents. The rule applies county-wide except inside municipalities that already have their own noise ordinance, and violators face a $25–$100 forfeiture.
Dane County Excessive Noise Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances § 34.04(1)-(3)
(1) Excessive noise defined. Excessive noise, as used in this section, shall mean any sound or level of sound of sufficient loudness that it tends unreasonably to disturb the peace, comfort, quiet or repose of persons in the vicinity of the noise including, but not limited to, any such noise produced in the operation or use of any radio, phonograph, tape or disc player, television or other mech...
Decibel Limits
Dane County doesn't set a flat decibel ceiling for commercial or industrial uses; instead town boards and the zoning committee set case-by-case decibel limits as a condition on conditional use permits and conditional rezones to commercial districts, referencing a reference table running from 35 dBA (a library) to 140 dBA (threshold of pain).
Dane County Noise Limits For CUP Uses
Significant RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 10.102(6)(a)-(d)
(6) Noise Reduction. (a) Town boards and the zoning committee may, as necessary, set decibel limits appropriate to the use and location as a condition on a Conditional Use Permit or on a conditional rezone petition. (b) Town boards and the zoning committee may, as necessary, recommend decibel limits appropriate to the use and location as a condition on rezones to General Commercial, Heavy Comme...
Vehicle Noise
Dane County bans excessive noise from motor vehicles, radios and other mechanical devices countywide under ch. 34.04, wherever a person's stereo, muffler or engine noise unreasonably disturbs the peace, comfort or repose of neighbors. Violators face a $25 to $100 forfeiture per offense under the ch. 34.99 penalty schedule.
Dane County Vehicle & Motor Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 34.04(1)-(3)
34.04 PROHIBITION OF EXCESSIVE NOISE DISTURBING THE PUBLIC PEACE. (1) Excessive noise defined. Excessive noise, as used in this section, shall mean any sound or level of sound of sufficient loudness that it tends unreasonably to disturb the peace, comfort, quiet or repose of persons in the vicinity of the noise including, but not limited to, any such noise produced in the operation or use of an...
Noise Ordinances by City in Dane County
4 cities in Dane County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
6 verified rules • Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound, Barking Dogs
7 verified rules • Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound, Barking Dogs
4 verified rules • Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound, Barking Dogs
6 verified rules • Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound, Barking Dogs
All Dane County ordinances
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