Kenosha, WI Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)

Section 23.05.B.1 of the Code of General Ordinances prohibits operating a "radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instruments, sound amplifier, or similar device" between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. "in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a real property boundary," with an exception for permitted public activities under Section 23.06. The same provision separately bars amplified sound that disturbs an adjacent dwelling unit at any hour, that creates a disturbance fifty feet from a device in a vehicle or boat, or that disturbs a passenger on a common carrier.

Loudspeakers and PA systems face their own overnight curbs under Section 23.05.B.2: noncommercial use is barred between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. if it creates a disturbance across a residential boundary, while commercial use is barred at any hour if it disturbs across any property boundary, and additionally between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on a public right-of-way or space. Section 23.06's Table 1 sets numeric decibel ceilings by receiving zoning district: residential, public space, open space, agricultural and institutional districts (A-1, A-2, C-1, IP, FW, RR-1, RR-2, RS-2 through RS-4, RD, RG-1, RG-2, RM-1, RM-2, and any zone not otherwise listed) are capped at 60 dBA from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 50 dBA overnight; B-1 through B-4 business districts are capped at 70 dBA at all times; and M-1/M-2 manufacturing districts are capped at 75 dBA at all times, each measured at the property boundary of the receiving land use.

A pure-tone or impulsive sound source gets its limit cut by an additional five dBA under Section 23.06.B. Sound trucks require prior registration with the County Health Officer under Section 23.12, capping amplified output at fifteen dBA above ambient at the property line, restricting operation to 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m., and barring use within 300 feet of churches, schools and hospitals. The Health Officer may grant Temporary or indefinite Variance Permits under Section 23.08. Enforcement splits between the Police Department (after hours) and Health Department (business hours) per Section 23.03, and violations fall under the Chapter IV general penalty referenced in Section 23.19: a forfeiture of $25 to $500 plus costs, with County Jail commitment of up to 60 days on default.