Brown County, WI Noise from Specific Sources: HVAC & Mechanical Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Exempt condition
- unit in good working order
- Decibel test
- none, if exempt
- Applies in
- unincorporated towns only
- Cited section
- 39.01(6)(f)
Summary
Brown County exempts noise from residential air conditioners in good working order from its Chapter 39 decibel limits, so a normally functioning home AC unit can't trigger a noise violation.
Residential Air Conditioners. Noise emitted by residential air conditioners in good working order.
(g) Airplanes and Railroad Operations. Aircraft and railroad operations which are controlled specifically by federal law.
(h) Bells, Chimes. Bells, chimes, and similar devices which signal the time of day and operate during the daytime hours for a duration of no longer than 15 minutes in any given hour during daytime hours.
(i) Warning Devices. Any device being used to request assistance or warn against an unsafe condition.
(j) Farming Equipment. Non-stationary farming equipment and stationary farming equipment used in drying agricultural crops.
(k) Disorderly Conduct. Noises created by human behavior and generally considered to be disorderly conduct under other laws and ordinances.
(l) Animals. Noises created by animals such as, but not limited to, barking
dogs.
(m) Motor Vehicles. Noise created by motor vehicles.
(n) Exemptions. These provisions shall not apply to:
Full Breakdown
Brown County Code § 39.01(6)(f) lists 'Residential Air Conditioners' among the exemptions to the Chapter 39 noise standards: noise emitted by a residential air conditioner in good working order is exempt outright, with no decibel test applied. The exemption applies in the unincorporated towns of Brown County, Wisconsin. A unit that is broken, poorly maintained, or installed in a way that creates excess noise falls outside the exemption and can still be measured against the general zone limits in § 39.01(2).
Violations & Fines
An AC unit that isn't in good working order loses the exemption and is measured against the standard Chapter 39 limits; violating those carries a $100 to $500 forfeiture for a first offense under § 39.02.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a decibel cap on residential AC units?
What if my neighbor's AC is unusually loud?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brown County
Compare Brown County to another location·View the Wisconsin noise from specific sources overview
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