Rock County, WI Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Rock County, 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
- Governing section
- Rock County Ord. Sec. 3.202(c)
- Covers
- amplifiers and general loud noise
- Location reached
- public streets, parks, places
- Maximum forfeiture
- $500 (Sec. 3.203)
- No decibel limit set
- nuisance standard applied
Summary
Rock County makes it an offense to emit loud or raucous noise through a sound amplifier or other instrument in public streets, public parks, or other public places. County Ordinance Section 3.202(c) also bars any unnecessary and annoying noise more broadly, and a conviction carries a forfeiture of up to $500 plus up to 30 days in county jail if unpaid.
(c) No person shall make any unnecessary and annoying noise. No person shall through the means of sound amplifiers or other instruments, make or emit loud or raucous noise in the public streets, public parks or other public places. ... Any person violating any of the provisions of ss. 3.201 or 3.202 shall be subject upon conviction to a forfeiture not to exceed $500, and in default of payment, by imprisonment in the county jail until such forfeiture and costs are paid, but not to exceed 30 days.
Full Breakdown
202(c), part of Rock County's Unnecessary and Annoying Noise ordinance, contains two separate prohibitions. The first sentence is a general catch-all: no person shall make any unnecessary and annoying noise. The second targets amplified sound specifically, barring anyone from using sound amplifiers or other instruments to make or emit loud or raucous noise in public streets, public parks, or other public places. The provision does not set a decibel limit or a curfew; it is written as a nuisance standard that a sheriff's deputy or the court applies to the circumstances, such as the volume, the time of day, the location, and whether the sound reasonably disturbs others in a public place.
202(b), the county's barking-dog rule, showing the ordinance was drafted as one general noise-nuisance section covering vehicles, animals, and amplified sound together. 203, Penalties for Violating ss. 202 is subject to a forfeiture not to exceed $500, and if the forfeiture and costs of prosecution are not paid, the court may order confinement in the county jail until they are paid, up to a maximum of 30 days. Because the rule reaches public streets, public parks or other public places, it applies to unincorporated Rock County land generally rather than being limited to a single venue or event type.
Violations & Fines
Using a sound amplifier or other instrument to make or emit loud or raucous noise in a public street, public park, or other public place, or otherwise making unnecessary and annoying noise, is subject upon conviction to a forfeiture not to exceed $500 under Rock County Ordinance Section 3.203. Nonpayment of the forfeiture and costs can result in confinement in the county jail for up to 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a decibel limit for amplified sound in Rock County?
Does the rule apply on private property?
What is the penalty for violating the noise ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rock County
Compare Rock County to another location·View the Wisconsin noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.