Appleton, WI Noise from Specific Sources: Generator Noise (2026)

Article IV of the City Code regulates noise citywide. Sec. 12-80(b) bars anyone from operating a sound source that exceeds the limits in Table I: 60 dB(A) daytime and 50 dB(A) nighttime in residential districts, 70/55 dB(A) in commercial districts, and 75/70 dB(A) in industrial districts. Sec. 12-80(e) separately bars power tools, lawn and garden equipment and snow removal equipment from creating a noise disturbance and forbids running such equipment, other than snow removal, at night. Sec. 12-80(j) carves out exemptions from these limits, and subsection (j)(2) covers emergency short-term operations necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare, including emergency utility and public works operations and personal generators operated in residential areas during power loss, meaning a homeowner running a backup generator during an outage is not cited for exceeding the decibel table.

Sound is measured at least 25 feet beyond the property line, about 4 feet above ground, under Sec. 12-79. Sec. 12-78 makes any other Article IV violation subject to the penalty in Sec. 1-18, plus injunction or nuisance abatement, and declares prohibited noise a public nuisance in its own right. The Health Department and Police Department share enforcement duty under Sec. 12-77.