Coeur d'Alene, ID Filming & Production: Production Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Noise standard
- Minimum noise level requirements in the permit agreement
- Approving body
- City Council must accept the permit agreement
- Decibel figure in film article
- None printed
- Site standards set by
- The City, per event and location (§ 17.08.625)
- Security
- Deposit set by City Council
- Termination notice
- Eight days written notice
Summary
In the City of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, the film production article prints no decibel figure. Instead, the applicant must agree to a permit agreement acceptable to the City Council that contains minimum noise level requirements, alongside parking, insurance, street closure and security terms.
G. Applicant agrees to execute a permit agreement acceptable to the City Council containing but not necessarily limited to controls for the provision of parking, liability insurance based upon intended activities and use, street closures, security, repair and maintenance of location sites and property, minimum noise level requirements, minimum notice requirements, and other applicable site performance requirements. H. Applicant agrees to comply with all relevant Federal, State, County, and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies, and to obtain all required permits, licenses, and other forms of authorization from other individuals or governmental entities having jurisdiction over the activity or the location of the activity.
Full Breakdown
The noise rule for film sets is in § 17.08.620(G), one of the criteria for a temporary film production permit. The City Council can grant the permit only if the applicant agrees to execute a permit agreement acceptable to the City Council containing, but not necessarily limited to, controls for parking, liability insurance based upon intended activities and use, street closures, security, repair and maintenance of location sites and property, minimum noise level requirements, minimum notice requirements, and other applicable site performance requirements. Item H adds that the applicant agrees to comply with all relevant Federal, State, County and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and policies, and to obtain all required permits, licenses and other authorizations.
So the number is set case by case. Section 17.08.625 says the City shall establish reasonable site performance standards based upon the proposed event and proposed locations as part of the permit approval process, and the applicant executes a permit agreement incorporating those standards, which can include height and bulk, setback and parking requirements. Criteria A and B require that the event not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or the surrounding neighborhood.
Other code text sits alongside the permit agreement. Section 17.08.605 says the film regulations overlay the underlying zoning district and apply in addition to the underlying zoning district regulations, with the most restrictive applying in a conflict. Separately, the zoning ordinance's performance standards in § 17.07.120(B) set 65 dB for daytime (7:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.) and 55 dB for nighttime for noise created for residentially zoned property. Section 5.24.030 allows the City Administrator or Parks Director to permit amplified sound systems on public property for a special event or other permitted event or activity, subject to reasonable conditions.
Compliance is enforced through the permit. The applicant deposits security guaranteeing performance under the permit and permit agreement (§ 17.08.645), and the City can terminate the permit for failure to perform under the permit agreement (§ 17.08.640). The permit lasts no more than 180 days (§ 17.08.635).
Violations & Fines
Failing to perform under the terms of the permit, permit agreement or regulations lets the City terminate the permit, retake City-owned property and remove all persons and property after eight (8) days written notice to vacate (§ 17.08.640). The security deposit guarantees performance (§ 17.08.645), and ordinance violations are misdemeanors under § 1.28.010, with a fine of not more than $1,000 or up to 180 days in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a decibel limit for filming in the City of Coeur d'Alene?
Who decides the noise terms?
What else goes in the permit agreement?
What happens if the crew breaks the noise terms?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coeur d'Alene
Compare Coeur d'Alene to another location·View the Idaho filming & production overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.