Amplified music rules in McHenry County, IL — also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances — set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
In unincorporated McHenry County it is a public nuisance to emit noise from live musical performances, stereos, car stereos, or sound amplification systems that can be heard 100 feet or more from the source's lot line or 100 feet or more from the source vehicle.
The county's Nuisance Noise Ordinance singles out amplified and live music. Sound from musical performances, home stereos, car stereos, or amplification systems is a public nuisance whenever it carries 100 feet or more from the lot line, or 100 feet or more from the vehicle producing it, regardless of the time of day. Unlike the general nuisance standard, no showing of prolonged or raucous character is required, only the 100-foot audibility. Incorporated cities add time windows: Woodstock bars outdoor musical performances, amplified or not, from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday).
Public-nuisance fine: $100 first offense, $100 to $1,000 for later offenses, each day separate; injunctive relief available.
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