Apple Valley, MN Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)

Section 130.58 of the Apple Valley Code of Ordinances regulates amplified sound with a plainly-audible test rather than a decibel meter. Paragraph (A) says no person shall use or operate any electronic sound system or audio equipment, including a compact disc player, cassette tape player, AM-FM radio, citizen band radio, paging system or any other device designed to produce or reproduce audio sound, in an unreasonably loud manner that disturbs the peace, quiet and comfort of others or interferes with the right of another to use peacefully his or her property or public property without disturbance.

Paragraph (B) supplies two presumptions. From 10:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., a violation is presumed when the equipment is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet or more. From 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., the distance stretches to 100 feet or more. Because the test turns on distance, the code names no decibel figure at all.

Paragraph (D) lists what the section does not reach. Amplifying equipment is exempt when used in connection with activities for which the city has granted a permit, subject to the terms of the permit, and at a special community event or activity sponsored or organized by a school, church, the Minnesota Zoological Garden or the city, provided the equipment is not used later than 10:30 p.m. Anti-theft devices, church bells, chimes or carillons, school bells, emergency management warning signals, and authorized emergency vehicles or other vehicles required by law to carry sound devices are also exempt.

When the sound comes from equipment located in or on a vehicle, paragraph (C) makes the vehicle's owner guilty of the violation, and if the owner is not present, the person in charge of the vehicle at the time. The broader purpose in § 130.55 is to restrict noise which unreasonably annoys or disturbs the comfort and repose of others.