Fond du Lac County, WI Noise from Specific Sources: Low-Frequency Bass Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- County Code § 38-173(b)(2)
- Covers
- radios, phonographs, musical instruments
- Standard
- annoys or disturbs quiet, comfort or repose
- Penalty range
- $10.00 to $500.00 forfeiture (§ 1-8)
- Applies
- unincorporated Fond du Lac County only
Summary
Fond du Lac County bars playing a radio, phonograph or musical instrument, including bass-heavy sound systems, loud enough to disturb neighbors. County Code § 38-173(b)(2) prohibits playing such devices in such a manner or with such volume as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of people in nearby offices, hospitals, hotels, other residences, or the vicinity generally.
(b)Prohibitions. The following acts among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises and noises in violation of this section; but this enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive: ... (2)Unreasonable playing of radio, phonographs or musical instruments. The playing of any radio, phonograph or any musical instrument in such a manner or with such volume as to annoy or to disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office or hospital, or in any hotel or other type of residence, or of any persons in the vicinity. ... (c)Penalties. Each person found guilty of a violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to the provisions of section 1-8.
Full Breakdown
Sec. ' The ordinance does not single out bass frequencies or set a decibel limit; a heavy bass system carried through walls or across a property line is judged the same way as any other loud music, under the same annoy-or-disturb standard. Because the section also opens with a general ban on any unreasonably loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise that disturbs the public peace and welfare, a deputy responding to a bass-noise complaint can rely on either the specific (b)(2) language about musical instruments and radios or the broader (a) standard, depending on the source of the sound.
Enforcement runs through the Sheriff's Office, which issues citations under the county's Uniform Municipal Citation procedure at § 1-9. As with every other subsection of § 38-173, a conviction is punishable under the Code's general penalty section, § 1-8, and the ordinance applies only outside the incorporated cities and villages, which enforce their own separate noise rules.
Violations & Fines
A radio/musical-instrument noise violation under § 38-173(b)(2) is a forfeiture offense under § 1-8: not less than $10.00 and not more than $500.00, plus costs of prosecution. Nonpayment or a failure to appear can bring a summons to Circuit Court, and unpaid forfeitures and costs can lead to jail commitment capped at 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fond du Lac County have a bass or decibel limit for music?
Who enforces the loud music ordinance in the unincorporated county?
What happens if I'm convicted of a loud music violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fond du Lac County
Compare Fond du Lac County to another location·View the Wisconsin noise from specific sources overview
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