10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Lancaster County, Nebraska.
Verified from official government sources
In Lincoln and the surrounding 3-mile zone, residential nighttime quiet hours run 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., when the sound limit at a residential property line drops from 60 dBA to 50 dBA. Elsewhere in unincorporated Lancaster County, general nuisance rules apply.
LMC 8.24.090(a)(1)
The standards are 60 db(a), maximum three minute Leq, for the time period 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and 50 db(a), maximum three minute Leq, for the time period 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
In Lincoln, running construction, drilling or demolition tools between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. is prohibited where it creates a noise disturbance across a residential boundary or noise-sensitive zone. Ordinary domestic power tools normally found in the home are exempt.
LMC 8.24.090(a)(5)
Operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, or demolition work: Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the following day on any day in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary or noise-sensitive zone.
Harboring an animal or bird whose sounds create a noise disturbance across a residential property line is prohibited in Lincoln. The measurable standard is 65 dBA daytime (7 a.m.–10 p.m.) and 55 dBA at night (10 p.m.–7 a.m.). Zoos, the humane society and vets are exempt.
LMC 8.24.090(a)(3)
Owning, possessing, or harboring any animal or bird which makes sounds which create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive zone... 65 db(a), maximum one minute Leq, for the time period 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and 55 db(a), maximum one minute Leq, for the time period 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Lincoln has no separate leaf-blower ordinance. Leaf blowers and similar yard tools are treated as domestic power tools, which are exempt from the construction-hours limit, but their noise still must not cross a residential property line as a disturbance.
LMC 8.24.090(a)(5)(ii)
This section shall not apply to the use of domestic power tools of a type normally found in the home.
Playing any radio, stereo, instrument or sound amplifier so it creates a noise disturbance across a residential property line or into a noise-sensitive zone is prohibited. The property-line standard is 60 dBA daytime and 50 dBA at night (10 p.m.–7 a.m.).
LMC 8.24.090(a)(1)
Operating, playing, or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier, or similar device which produces, reproduces, or amplifies sound in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive zone.
Neither Lancaster County nor Lincoln regulates aircraft noise; flight operations are governed by the FAA under federal law. Lincoln's code does cover powered model aircraft, limiting them to 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA at night at a residential boundary.
LMC 8.24.090(a)(7)
Operating or permitting the operation of powered model vehicles so as to create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary, in a public space, or within a noise-sensitive zone... 65 db(a), maximum three minute Leq, for the time period 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and 55 db(a)... for the time period 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
In Lincoln, sound received on commercial or business property is capped at 70 dBA at all times, and on industrial property at 75 dBA at all times, under the Noise Control Ordinance's Table 1. Tighter limits protect nearby residential and noise-sensitive land.
LMC 8.24.090, Table 1
Commercial or business: At all times 70 [dBA]. Industrial: At all times 75 [dBA].
Lincoln's Table 1 sets property-line sound limits by receiving land use: residential 65 dBA day / 55 dBA night, noise-sensitive or agricultural-residential 60/50 dBA, commercial 70 dBA at all times, and industrial 75 dBA at all times.
LMC 8.24.090, Table 1
Table 1. Sound Levels by Receiving Land Use — Residential: 65 [dBA] 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 55 [dBA] 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; Noise-sensitive zone, or agricultural residential: 60 / 50; Commercial or business: At all times 70; Industrial: At all times 75.
Outdoor concerts, PA systems and loudspeakers must not create a noise disturbance across a residential property line (60 dBA day / 50 dBA night). Public events with a required permit instead follow a property-line limit and cutoff time set by the Health Department.
LMC 8.24.090(a)(1)
except for activities open to the public and for which any required permit has been issued. For those activities requiring a permit, a property line noise limit and/or time limit will be established that is agreeable to the permit grantor, the health officer, and the grantee.
Operating a motor vehicle or motorcycle with an exhaust system that emits excessive or unusual noise is prohibited in Lincoln. Vehicles on public roads must also stay under posted sound limits (for example, 70 dBA at 50 feet for cars at 35 mph or less).
LMC 8.24.090(a)(14)
No person shall operate a motor vehicle or motorcycle equipped with an exhaust system that emits excessive or unusual noise.
1 cities in Lancaster County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Lancaster County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Lancaster County Ordinance Hub →