Lenexa, KS Noise from Specific Sources: Generator Noise (2026)

Section 4-1-C-4-E-7-d of the Lenexa City Code exempts sound from the operation of emergency generators used in emergency situations when electricity from the grid is unavailable. The exemption has two conditions in its own words: the generator must be used in an emergency situation, and grid power must be out. A storm outage that leaves a home on standby power qualifies. A generator run for convenience while the grid is up does not.

The code has no generator-specific section. A non-emergency generator is a sound source that Section 4-1-C-4-E-7 does not exempt, so the performance standards in Section 4-1-C-4-E-2 reach it: sound measured anywhere off the property of the sound source cannot exceed 70 dB(A) from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or 55 dB(A) from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. in a residential area. Commercial areas are capped at 65 and 60 dB(A), and industrial areas at 70 and 65 dB(A).

The other exemptions in Section 4-1-C-4-E-7 are separate. They cover law enforcement and other emergency motor vehicles, including snow-clearing equipment; vehicles or equipment of the city, state, county, federal government, schools or utilities responding to a potentially hazardous situation where immediate physical trauma or property damage is occurring or threatened; and sound made under a valid City license or permit that specifically allows it.

Responsibility stays with the person in control. Section 4-1-C-4-E-6 makes the property owner, tenant or other person with control of residential property responsible for abating a noise disturbance there. A Community Standards Officer can start an enforcement action for a sound plainly audible across any boundary line other than the source's own (Section 4-1-C-4-E-5-a).