Ann Arbor, MI Noise from Specific Sources: HVAC & Mechanical Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Nighttime cutoff
- 10 p.m.-7 a.m. banned
- Daytime dB(A) cap
- 90 dB(A) at property line
- Governs
- HVAC as "power equipment"
- First-offense fine
- $50-$500 plus costs
Summary
Ann Arbor bars running power equipment, including HVAC compressors and condensers, loud enough to carry past your property line between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and caps daytime operation at 90 dB(A) beyond the line.
(1) The operation, between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., of power tools or equipment. ... Operation, between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., of power equipment that does not produce a sound level exceeding 90 dB(A) beyond the property line of the property on which the equipment is operated.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
The city's noise ordinance treats HVAC units as regulated "power equipment," with no separate HVAC chapter. Section 9:363(1) bans operating power tools or equipment audibly beyond the property line from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., regardless of decibel level. Section 9:365(1) exempts daytime operation, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., as long as the unit doesn't exceed 90 dB(A) at the property line. A noisy condenser or heat pump is judged under this general standard, enforced citywide by the City of Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, not by the county or neighboring Ann Arbor Charter Township.
Violations & Fines
A civil infraction: $50-$500 plus costs for a first offense, $100-$500 for a second within two years, and $200-$500 plus up to 240 hours community service for a third.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my neighbor run a noisy AC condenser at night in Ann Arbor?
Is there a decibel limit for HVAC units during the day?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ann Arbor
Compare Ann Arbor to another location·View the Michigan noise from specific sources overview
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