Dubuque, IA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

City Code Section 6-5-1 opens Chapter 5's noise rules with a general ban on any loud and excessive noise that annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, then carves out specific activities. Subsection F targets construction directly: loud or excessive noise from erection, excavation, demolition, alteration or repairs to any structure, infrastructure or building is prohibited except between 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. Monday through Friday, and 9:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. on Saturday and Sunday. A companion rule in subsection G sets an even narrower window for pile drivers, pipe ramming and pneumatic hammers: 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. on weekdays and 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. on weekends, and it requires that such equipment carry an effective muffling device whenever it runs.

Neither subsection exempts a contractor who has already obtained a building permit; the noise-hours rule applies on top of any Title 14 building permit conditions. The City Manager or the City Manager's designee enforces the chapter under Section 6-5-6 and may issue a temporary variance permit under Section 6-5-7 for work that must proceed outside the normal hours, provided the applicant shows the work promotes public health or welfare and commits to keeping noise at the lowest practical level; special-event variances follow the same process under Section 6-5-7(C).

Violations are municipal infractions under Section 1-4-2, punishable by a civil penalty rather than an automatic criminal charge, with each day of continuing noise treated as a separate offense.