Dubuque, IA Noise from Specific Sources: Delivery Truck Noise (2026)

Chapter 5 of Title 6 of the Dubuque City Code opens with a general rule that no person may intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with wanton disregard cause or permit any loud and excessive noise that results in annoyance or discomfort to a reasonable person of normal sensitivities. Subsection D then singles out delivery-related noise: the creation of any loud and excessive noise in connection with loading or unloading any vehicle, or the opening and destruction of bales, boxes, crates and containers, is prohibited citywide, with no exemption for a particular time of day or zoning district.

The rule applies to commercial deliveries at stores, warehouses and restaurants as well as residential moves, and it stands alongside the separate, time-limited ban on trash and recyclables collection noise in subsection H, which runs from 6:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. in residential zones. Enforcement runs through the City Manager or the City Manager's designee under Section 6-5-6, and City Code Section 1-4-2 makes a violation of this chapter a municipal infraction carrying a civil penalty rather than a criminal charge in most cases. A business or resident that repeatedly slams down pallets, drags metal dollies or breaks down boxes loudly enough to disturb neighbors can be cited without the city first proving a decibel reading, because the standard is disturbance to a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, not a metered limit.

The City Manager's designee may also issue a temporary variance permit under Section 6-5-7 when noisy work is necessary and reasonable steps are taken to keep the noise as low as practical.