Elyria, OH Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Elyria, OH, also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances, set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Key Facts
- Citation
- Elyria Codified Ordinances § 509.08(c)(1) and (1A)
- Night rule
- Plainly audible beyond fifty feet, midnight to 8:00 a.m.
- Any-hour rule
- Boom boxes and audio systems that disturb others, § 509.08(c)(1A)
- First offense fine
- $75.00, not suspended or reduced
- Later offenses
- Fine of $100.00 to $500.00
- Permit exception
- Events permitted under Traffic Code Section 311.02
Summary
In the City of Elyria, Ohio, radios, televisions and musical instruments plainly audible at more than fifty feet are barred from midnight until 8:00 a.m. Section 509.08(c)(1A) separately bars boom boxes and car stereos that disturb neighbors at any hour. A first offense carries a $75.00 fine that cannot be suspended.
(1) Radios, television sets, musical instruments, and similar devices which produce, reproduce, or amplify sound in such a manner or which such volume as to annoy or disturb the peace, quiet, comfort or repose of persons where such a noise is plainly audible at a distance of more than fifty feet within the city from 12:00 p.m. midnight until 8:00 a.m. ... (1A) Radios and sound-producing devices such as "boom boxes". ... B. No person shall play any radio, music player such as a "boom box", tape cassette, disc player, television, audio system, musical instrument or any other type of sound device in a manner or at a volume as to disturb the peace, quiet, comfort or repose of neighboring inhabitants or at a volume which is plainly audible to persons other than those who are in the room in which such device or instrument is played and who are voluntary listeners thereto.
Full Breakdown
Elyria regulates amplified sound in the noise disturbances section of the General Offenses Code, § 509.08. Two paragraphs do the work.
Paragraph (c)(1) sets a night rule with a distance test. Radios, television sets, musical instruments and similar devices that produce, reproduce or amplify sound so as to annoy or disturb the peace, quiet, comfort or repose of persons are a violation where the noise is plainly audible at a distance of more than fifty feet within the city from 12:00 p.m. midnight until 8:00 a.m. "Plainly audible" means sound that clearly can be heard by unimpaired auditory senses based on a direct line of sight of fifty or more feet, and the words or phrases need not be discernible.
Paragraph (c)(1A) has no clock. Under (1A)A. no one can play a radio, boom box, tape cassette, disc player, television, audio system or musical instrument on a public road, street, highway or private property in a manner or at a volume that disturbs the peace, quiet, comfort or repose of other persons. Organized events that hold a valid City permit under Section 311.02 of the Traffic Code are excepted. Paragraph B. adds a neighbor and plainly audible standard: sound heard by anyone outside the room, other than voluntary listeners, is a violation. Paragraph C. applies the same idea to audio systems in motor vehicles.
Paragraph (d) exempts emergency alert sound, emergency work, and noncommercial public speaking and public assembly on public space or public right of way. The fine, towing and seizure provisions in § 509.08(e) are described below.
Violations & Fines
Section 509.08(e)(1) sets a $75.00 fine for a first offense under (c)(1A)A., B. or C., which cannot be suspended, waived or reduced, and the device can be seized as evidence. A repeat within thirty-six hours of a charge or warning is a misdemeanor of the third degree; later offenses draw a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $500.00. Vehicles can be towed or held up to twenty-four hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what hours is loud music restricted in Elyria?
What does plainly audible mean in Elyria?
Can Elyria police take my speaker?
Is there an exception for permitted events?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Elyria
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