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

Light Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified November 2026

Amplified music rules in Sheboygan, WI, also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances, set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.

Key Facts

Legal test: Annoys or disturbs quiet, comfort or repose (§ 66-74)
Devices covered: Instruments, radios and any device playing live or recorded music, speech or noise
Decibel or clock-hour limit: None printed in §§ 66-71 to 66-80
Vehicle loudspeakers: Mechanical loudspeakers or amplifiers on trucks and other vehicles: violation (§ 66-78)
Marching band practice: Exempt with adult supervision, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (§ 66-72(6))
Fallback forfeiture: $50.00 to $500.00 plus costs (§ 1-12(a))

Summary

Sheboygan sets its amplified music limit by effect, not by a printed decibel reading or clock hour. Section 66-74 makes it a violation to play any instrument, radio or recording device at a volume that annoys or disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of people in an office, hospital, hotel, residence or the vicinity, and Section 66-78 separately covers drums and loudspeakers used to draw attention to a sale or show.

The playing of any musical instrument, radio, or any device designed to play live or recorded music, speech, or other noise in such a manner or with such volume as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office, hospital or in any hotel or other type of residence or of any person in the vicinity is declared to be in violation of this article.

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Full Breakdown

The core music rule is Municipal Code § 66-74, in Article III (Noise) of Chapter 66 (Nuisances). It reaches the playing of any musical instrument, radio, or any device designed to play live or recorded music, speech, or other noise, so a car stereo, a portable speaker, a band and a backyard sound system fall under the same sentence. The test is the effect of the volume: sound that annoys or disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office, hospital, hotel or other residence, or of any person in the vicinity. Sections 66-71 through 66-80 print no decibel figure and no nightly cutoff hour, so the question in every case is whether the sound actually disturbs the people nearby.

Three neighboring sections add to it. Section 66-71 prohibits any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise, and any noise of such character, intensity or duration as to be detrimental to the life or health of any individual or in the disturbance of public peace and welfare. Section 66-78 declares it a violation to use any drum, loudspeaker or other instrument to attract attention, by creation of noise, to a performance, show, sale or display of merchandise, and to use mechanical loudspeakers or amplifiers on trucks or other moving or standing vehicles for advertising or other purposes. Section 66-79 reaches noise adjacent to a school, institution of learning, church or court while in session, or adjacent to any hospital, that unreasonably interferes with the workings or sessions there.

Section 66-72 lists what the article does not apply to or get enforced against. Two items matter for sound equipment: the reasonable use of amplifiers or loudspeakers in public addresses that are noncommercial in nature, and any marching band or marching unit practicing under the supervision of an adult from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Section 66-80 separately allows music over the speaker system planned and set up by the Plaza 8 committee, as long as the sound is not unreasonable, which the code defines as abnormally loud music that the average person would consider unusually noisy or offensive.

Violations & Fines

Sections 66-71 through 66-80 print no forfeiture of their own. For an act declared unlawful with no specific penalty, § 1-12(a) sets a forfeiture of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00 plus the costs of prosecution, with county jail not exceeding 90 days in default of payment. Under § 1-12(b), each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and § 1-12(c) lets the city summarily abate conditions that violate the Code as a public nuisance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a decibel limit for loud music in Sheboygan?

No decibel reading appears in Sheboygan's noise article, Sections 66-71 through 66-80. Section 66-74 asks instead whether music is played in such a manner or with such volume as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office, hospital, hotel or other residence, or of any person in the vicinity. The effect on people nearby, not a meter reading, decides it.

Can I advertise with a loudspeaker on a truck in Sheboygan?

Section 66-78 declares the use of mechanical loudspeakers or amplifiers on trucks or other moving or standing vehicles for advertising or other purposes to be a violation of the noise article. It also covers drums, loudspeakers or other devices used to attract attention by noise to a performance, show, sale or display of merchandise. The amplifier exception in § 66-72 is limited to noncommercial public addresses.

Can a marching band practice with amplified sound in Sheboygan?

Section 66-72(6) exempts any marching band or marching unit practicing under the supervision of an adult during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The exemption is tied to those hours and to adult supervision. Section 66-72(4) separately exempts the reasonable use of amplifiers or loudspeakers in noncommercial public addresses.

What happens if I am cited for loud music in Sheboygan?

The noise sections print no penalty of their own, so the general penalty in § 1-12(a) is the one the Code sets: a forfeiture of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00 plus costs of prosecution. If the forfeiture goes unpaid, county jail time of up to 90 days can follow, and under § 1-12(b) each day counts as a separate offense.

Is music on Plaza 8 treated differently?

Yes. Section 66-80 makes it lawful for music to be played throughout Plaza 8 over the speaker system planned and set up by the Plaza 8 committee, as long as the sound is not unreasonable. The code defines unreasonable sound as abnormally loud music that the average person would consider unusually noisy or offensive.

Sources & Official References

[1]Sheboygan Municipal Code (Municode)

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All Sheboygan rules

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