Omaha, NE Noise from Specific Sources: Low-Frequency Bass Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 55-804, Omaha Municipal Code
- Trigger
- Bass/drum beats repeating 4+ times/hour
- Night limit (residential)
- 55 dBA, 9 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Measured at
- Receiving property boundary
- Enforced by
- Planning dept. permits & inspections division
Summary
Omaha zoning code treats musical bass and drum beats that repeat four or more times an hour as impulsive sound, requiring compliance with the same maximum decibel limits as any other continuous noise measured at the property line.
Impulsive sound which repeats four or more times in a one-hour period shall be measured as continuous sound and shall meet the requirements as shown in Table 1. Impulsive sound means sound pulses of short duration, usually less than one second, with an abrupt onset and rapid decay. Impulsive sound shall include, but shall not be limited to, explosions, musical bass or drum beats, the discharge of firearms, or the disintegration or other processing of materials.
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 55-804 of the Omaha zoning code, repetitive musical bass or drum beats count as impulsive sound if they recur four or more times in an hour, and must then meet the same Table 1 sound-level limits set for continuous noise in that zoning district: 55 to 60 dBA at night in residential districts, rising to 80-85 dBA in heavy industrial zones. Sound is measured at the boundary of the receiving property using an ANSI-calibrated meter. The rule targets bass-heavy music or drumming from nearby properties, not moving vehicles or exempted construction/emergency noise. The planning department's permits and inspections division enforces this chapter, per Sec. 55-891.
Violations & Fines
Violations are enforced by the planning department's permits and inspections division; appeals go to the zoning board of appeals, with penalties under state law governing zoning violations (R.R.S. § 14-415).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Omaha limit loud car stereo bass?
What decibel limit applies to bass noise at night in a residential area?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Omaha
Compare Omaha to another location·View the Nebraska noise from specific sources overview
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