Wyandotte County, KS Noise from Specific Sources: Low-Frequency Bass Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Bass counts
- Plainly audible includes 'the sound of bass alone'
- Prima facie trigger
- Audible across a residential property line
- Multi-family standard
- 50 feet, 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Offense class
- Class C violation (Sec. 22-128(e))
- Max penalty
- 1 month jail, $500 fine
Summary
Wyandotte County's noise-disturbance ordinance specifically counts bass alone as enough to prove a violation: Sec. 22-128(d)(2) defines 'plainly audible' to include the sound of bass alone, even when words or melodies can't be made out. Bass that crosses a residential property line, or carries 50 feet from a multi-family dwelling between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., is prima facie evidence of the offense.
(b)Prima facie violation. The operation of any tool, equipment, vehicle, electronic device, set, instrument, television, phonograph, machine or other noise- or sound-producing or amplifying device at any time in such a manner as to be plainly audible across a property boundary line in a residential area, or for 50 feet or more in the case of a multiple-family dwelling between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section....(2)Plainly audible means capable of being heard, whether or not the words or melodies can be distinguished, and includes the sound of bass alone.
Full Breakdown
Sec. ' Subsection (d)(2) defines 'plainly audible' as capable of being heard whether or not the words or melodies can be distinguished, 'and includes the sound of bass alone,' so a low-frequency thump crossing into a neighbor's yard counts the same as a full song. m. Subsection (a)(1) backs this with a general standard: it is unlawful to make any excessive, unnecessary, unreasonable, or unusually loud noise that disturbs the comfort, repose, health, peace, or safety of a reasonable person of normal auditory sensitivity, considering the sound's cause, volume, intensity, nature, duration, and the time and place it is heard.
The ordinance carves out specific exceptions, including emergency vehicles, government equipment responding to a hazard, licensed activities, emergency generators during outages, racing events, and alarm systems, but a car or house stereo turned up for the bass is not among them. Violation of Sec. 22-128 is a class C violation.
Violations & Fines
Bass or other noise that is plainly audible across a residential property line, or that carries 50 feet from a multi-family dwelling between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., is prima facie evidence of a violation under Sec. 22-128(b), regardless of whether any words or melody can be identified. A conviction is a class C violation under subsection (e), capping confinement at one month and a fine, under the general penalty schedule in Sec. 1-8, at $500.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited for bass noise even if you can't hear the lyrics?
What time does the stricter bass noise rule apply to apartments?
What is the penalty for a bass or noise disturbance violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wyandotte County
Compare Wyandotte County to another location·View the Kansas noise from specific sources overview
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