West Valley City, UT Noise from Specific Sources: Generator Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Normal-use limit
- 74 dB(A) at 50 feet
- Power-outage limit
- 80 dB(A) at 50 feet
- Covers
- residential power generation equipment
- Penalty
- class B misdemeanor
Summary
Home generators in West Valley City may not exceed 74 dB(A) at 50 feet during normal use, but the limit relaxes to 80 dB(A) while running during a power outage or routine maintenance.
(8) Domestic Power Equipment. Operating or permitting to be operated any power equipment rated five horsepower or less used for home or building repair, grounds maintenance, or residential power generation... a. Any such power equipment which emits a sound pressure level in excess of 74 dB(A) measured at a distance of 50 feet... c. Except that use of residential power generation equipment during power outage or routine maintenance of such generator shall not constitute a violation of this Chapter so long as the sound pressure level does not exceed 80 dB(A).
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-30, passed June 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Municipal Code § 24-22-108(8) treats residential power generation equipment as 'domestic power equipment.' Normal operation may not emit a sound pressure level above 74 dB(A) measured 50 feet from the unit. Subsection (8)(c) carves out a specific exception: running a generator during a power outage, or during its routine maintenance, is not a violation as long as the sound pressure level stays at or below 80 dB(A). The ordinance's general 50-foot audibility test does not apply to this subsection.
Violations & Fines
A home generator exceeding 74 dB(A) at 50 feet during normal use, or 80 dB(A) during an outage or maintenance, violates § 24-22-108(8) as a class B misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a backup generator during a power outage in West Valley City?
What's the noise limit for a generator on a normal day?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Valley City
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Generator Noise in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle generator noise.