Noise Ordinances in Washington County, WI (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Washington County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Washington County bans loud or disturbing noise near any public street, alley, park or private residence, and treats a radio, phonograph or similar device that is plainly audible at the property line between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. as automatic proof of a violation under Code § 172-7.
Washington County Nighttime Noise Curfew
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code § 172-7A, B(2)
General. No person shall make, continue or cause to be made any loud, disturbing or unnecessary sounds or noises such as may tend to annoy or disturb a person of ordinary sensibilities in or about any public street, alley or park or any private residence. ... The operation of any set, instrument, phonograph, machine or device between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in a manner as to be pl...
Construction Hours
Washington County limits noisy construction, demolition, alteration or repair work, including pile drivers, excavating equipment, pneumatic hammers and hoists, to between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Code § 172-7B(5) makes such work outside those hours a violation of the county noise ordinance.
Washington County Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code § 172-7B(5)
Construction or repair of buildings. The erection (including excavation), demolition, alteration or repair of any building as well as the operation of any pile driver, excavating equipment, pneumatic hammer, derrick, steam or electric hoist, or any other similar equipment attended by loud or unusual noise other than between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Barking Dogs
Washington County makes it unlawful to own, harbor or keep a dog that habitually barks or howls to the annoyance of others anywhere in the unincorporated towns. The rule sits among a list of dog-keeping restrictions the Sheriff's Office enforces, alongside bans on chasing vehicles and attacking without provocation.
Washington County Habitual Dog Barking Ban
Light RestrictionsWashington County Code § 172-12I(4)
Restrictions on keeping of dogs. It shall be unlawful for any person within the County to own, harbor or keep any dog which: ... Habitually barks or howls to the annoyance of any person or persons. This subsection shall not apply to hospitals conducted for the treatment of small animals.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Washington County bars operating a loudspeaker, sound amplifier, public address system or similar device so loud it disturbs the peace or quiet of a neighborhood, under Code § 172-7B(3). The rule carries no fixed hours and the same forfeiture penalty as any other Chapter 172 violation.
Washington County Amplified Sound Restrictions
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code § 172-7B(3)
Loudspeakers, amplifiers, public address systems or other similar devices. The using, operating or permitting to be played, used or operated any radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker, sound amplifier, public address system or other machine or device for the producing of sound which increases the volume of voice, music or other sounds so loud as to disturb the peace or...
Vehicle Noise
Washington County requires every motor vehicle's exhaust to run through a muffler that prevents loud or explosive noise, caps horn use at three seconds, and separately bans squealing tires or unnecessary acceleration on any street or highway. The rules sit at Code §§ 172-7 and 172-20.
Washington County Vehicle Exhaust and Horn Rules
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code § 172-7B(1), (4) and § 172-20A(1)
Horns, signaling devices. The sounding of any horn or signaling device on any automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle on any street or public place in the County for longer than three seconds in any period of one minute or less, except as a danger warning ... Exhausts. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any internal combustion engine or motor boat, except through a muffler or oth...
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