Noise Ordinances in McHenry County, IL (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated McHenry County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
In unincorporated McHenry County, any prolonged, harsh, unusual, or raucous noise audible 100 feet or more from the source's lot line is a public nuisance if it causes unreasonable discomfort to neighbors. Cities like Crystal Lake and Woodstock set their own quiet hours.
McHenry County Quiet Hours and Nuisance Noise
Some RestrictionsMcHenry County Nuisance Noise Ordinance, Art. 2 Sec. 4 (MCC ch. 9.16)
It is a public nuisance to make, continue, create, or cause to be made or continue any noise which is prolonged, harsh, unusual, raucous, or unusual in time or place and which can be heard from a distance of 100 feet or more from the lot line of the source of the noise.
Construction Hours
In unincorporated McHenry County it is a public nuisance to run construction tools or equipment, or do construction work, that is audible 100 feet or more from the lot line after 7:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. on any day. Emergency and agricultural work is exempt.
Construction Noise Hours in McHenry County
Some RestrictionsMcHenry County Nuisance Noise Ordinance, Art. 2 Sec. 2 (MCC ch. 9.16)
It is a public nuisance to operate construction tools or equipment or engage in construction activity which can be heard from a distance of 100 feet or more from the lot line of the source of the noise after 7:00 PM on any day or before 7:00 AM on any day.
Barking Dogs
McHenry County has no dog-specific decibel rule; persistent barking is handled as a public nuisance when the sound is prolonged, harsh, or raucous and carries 100 feet or more from the lot line, causing unreasonable discomfort. Woodstock's code names habitual animal noise directly.
Barking Dog Noise Rules in McHenry County
Some RestrictionsMcHenry County Nuisance Noise Ordinance, Art. 2 Sec. 4 (MCC ch. 9.16)
It is a public nuisance to make, continue, create, or cause to be made or continue any noise which is prolonged, harsh, unusual, raucous, or unusual in time or place and which can be heard from a distance of 100 feet or more from the lot line of the source of the noise.
Leaf Blower Rules
McHenry County sets no leaf-blower-specific rule. Lawn and property maintenance are expressly excluded from the off-road-vehicle noise limit, so blowers are governed only by the general prolonged-or-raucous-noise nuisance standard (audible 100 feet from the lot line).
Leaf Blowers and Lawn Equipment Noise
Some RestrictionsMcHenry County Nuisance Noise Ordinance, Art. 2 Sec. 1(2) (MCC ch. 9.16)
Excluded from this public nuisance are: ... Off-road vehicles used for lawn maintenance, property maintenance, or construction purposes.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
In unincorporated McHenry County it is a public nuisance to emit noise from live musical performances, stereos, car stereos, or sound amplification systems that can be heard 100 feet or more from the source's lot line or 100 feet or more from the source vehicle.
Amplified Music and Sound Systems
Some RestrictionsMcHenry County Nuisance Noise Ordinance, Art. 2 Sec. 3 (MCC ch. 9.16)
It is a public nuisance to emanate noise from live musical performances, stereos, car stereos, or sound amplification systems which can be heard from a distance of 100 feet or more from the lot line of the source of the noise or 100 feet or more from the source vehicle.
Decibel Limits
McHenry County sets no decibel limit of its own. Chapter 9.16 of the county code, which applies only to unincorporated areas, defines nuisance noise by its unreasonableness and states that a decibel meter is not required to prove a violation. The numeric limits that do apply come from Illinois, where 35 Ill. Adm. Code 901.102 caps property-line noise reaching residential land by octave band.
McHenry County Noise Limits (No Decibel Standard)
Some RestrictionsMcHenry County Code §§ 9.16.040, 9.16.050 (Ord. O-201810-10-043); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 901.102
§ 9.16.040 DEFINITIONS. NOISE means sound, particularly amplified sound, that is of a volume, frequency, or is harsh, prolonged, unnatural, or unusual in time or place as to occasion unreasonable discomfort to any inhabitants of ordinary sensitivities ... § 9.16.050 NUISANCE NOISE PROHIBITED. A. Nuisance Noise. A person commits the offense of nuisance noise when he or she knowingly makes any no...
Vehicle Noise
In unincorporated McHenry County, running an off-road vehicle whose noise carries 100 feet or more from the lot line is a public nuisance after 7:00 p.m. any day, before 7:00 a.m. Monday–Friday, or before 9:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Registered on-road vehicles are exempt.
Off-Road and Vehicle Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsMcHenry County Nuisance Noise Ordinance, Art. 2 Sec. 1(1) (MCC ch. 9.16)
It is a public nuisance to operate any Off-Road Vehicle that generates noise which can be heard from a distance of 100 feet or more from the lot line of the source of the noise after 7:00 PM on any day, or before 7:00 AM Monday through Friday, or before 9:00 AM Saturday or Sunday.
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