Sioux Falls, SD Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Sioux Falls, SD, also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances, set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Sound permit from health director
- Daytime cap
- L90 70 dbA until 8 p.m.
- Evening cap
- L90 65 dbA, 8-10:30 p.m.
- Permit hours
- 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Main St BID exception
- Fri/Sat until 11:30 p.m.
Summary
Sioux Falls requires a health department sound permit for outdoor amplified music, capping levels at 70 dbA (L90) until 8 p.m. and 65 dbA after, with permits expiring at 10:30 p.m.
Permits may be issued for any activity conducted between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Permits shall allow the permitted sound pressure level of no more than an L90 of 70 dbA or allow no more than five peaks of 77 dbA or higher in any three-minute period until 8:00 p.m. when the permit shall allow the permitted sound pressure level of no more than an L90 of 65 dbA or no more than five peaks of 72 dbA or higher in any three-minute period. Permits shall expire at 10:30 p.m. unless otherwise stated;
(5) Permits may be issued in the Main Street Sioux Falls Business Improvement District for the purpose of music and entertainment between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. except Friday and Saturday nights when the permits may be granted from 6:00 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. These permits shall allow the permitted sound pressure level of no more than an L90 of 70 dbA or allow no more than five peaks of 77 dbA or higher in any three-minute period for the entire duration of the permit;
(6) A special sound permit for a location may be granted allowing extended time and/or decibel levels on a case by case basis. In those cases, the parameters of the event(s) covered by the permit shall be outlined on the permit;
(7) The permit may prescribe any reasonable conditions or requirements deemed necessary to minimize adverse effects upon the city or the surrounding neighborhood;
(8) The health director or his or her designated agent may revise the
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-135: Current through local ordinance 54-26, passed 7-14-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Sioux Falls Code § 93.007, anyone amplifying music outdoors, a block party, concert, bar patio, or backyard show, needs a sound permit from the health director once amplified sound risks exceeding the residential noise standard in § 93.003. Permits run 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and cap sound at an L90 of 70 dbA (or five 77-dbA peaks per three minutes) until 8 p.m., dropping to 65 dbA (72-dbA peaks) after. Main Street Business Improvement District permits can run to 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. School concerts, worship services, city-sponsored events, and short private park events are exempt under § 93.006.
Violations & Fines
Amplifying outdoor music without a permit, or exceeding the L90/peak decibel caps or the 10:30 p.m. cutoff, is a noise violation enforced by the health director and can draw citation or permit revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for outdoor live music in Sioux Falls?
What time must outdoor amplified music stop in Sioux Falls?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sioux Falls
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