Nicholasville, KY Noise from Specific Sources: Generator Noise (2026)

The Nicholasville Code of Ordinances does not mention generators by name. The clause aimed at running equipment is § 12-10(b)(1), which prohibits maintaining any machinery or equipment, whose operation involves rotating or reciprocating parts or equipment in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Whether a particular unit falls under the clause turns on whether its operation involves rotating or reciprocating parts; the section does not list generators, engines or any other machine by type.

Two conditions must both be met under (b)(1): the sound has to create a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary, and it has to happen between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Outside those hours the subsection prints no ban, although the general standard in § 12-10(a) still reaches noise emitted beyond the boundaries of a person's property that unreasonably interferes with the enjoyment of life or any lawful business or activity.

Subsection (b)(1) prints no emergency exception. That is a difference from § 12-10(b)(2), which carves out emergency work of public service utilities and work done by prior approval from the City of Nicholasville for construction, drilling and demolition tools. Outdoor mechanically powered saws, drills, sanders, grinders, lawn and gardening tools are handled in (b)(3), with the same 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. window plus a Saturday and Sunday limit before 9:00 a.m., and an exclusion for powered snow removal equipment. Those weekend hours and the snow equipment exclusion are not printed in (b)(1).