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Macon County, IL Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Construction hours in Macon County, IL, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.

Key Facts

Exempt construction hours
7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Outside window
Full § 94.06 limits apply
Mitigation authority
Planning & Zoning Dept., § 94.07(I)
First-offense fine
$50 to $500
Enforcing agency
Sheriff's Office, § 94.08

Summary

Unincorporated Macon County exempts construction noise from its Chapter 94 decibel limits only between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Macon County Code § 94.07(I) lets the Planning and Zoning Department require mitigation if construction noise exceeds the chapter's allowable levels even inside that window.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Macon County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(I) Construction sites. Construction noise that occurs between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. shall be exempted. However, if in the opinion of the Macon County Planning and Zoning Department, equipment or activities employed in the performance of construction exceeds the allowable decibel levels within this code, the Macon County Planning and Zoning Department may require noise mitigation methods be implemented and used at the construction site to mitigate noises which exceed the requirements herein.

Full Breakdown

m. Outside that window, ordinary construction noise loses its exemption and is measured against the same decibel and distance standards that apply to any other noise source on residential land. Even within the exempt hours, the exemption is not absolute: if, in the opinion of the Macon County Planning and Zoning Department, the equipment or activities used on a construction site exceed the allowable decibel levels elsewhere in the chapter, the department may require the contractor to implement noise-mitigation methods at the site. 06. The construction exemption sits in the same section as other Chapter 94 carve-outs, including emergency utility repairs, work performed by a public body such as road and bridge construction, and properly maintained powered maintenance equipment. 08, the chapter's general enforcement provision.

Violations & Fines

Construction noise outside the 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. exempt window is treated like any other Chapter 94 violation: $50 to $500 for a first offense and $100 to $1,000 for a repeat offense within two years, under § 94.99(A). A contractor that ignores a Planning and Zoning Department mitigation directive under § 94.07(I) can also be cited.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can construction noise occur in unincorporated Macon County?
Construction noise is exempt from the county's decibel limits only between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., under Macon County Code § 94.07(I). Work generating noise outside that window is treated like any other noise source and must meet the § 94.06 dBA and distance limits.
Can the county still act on loud construction during permitted hours?
Yes. Even within the 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. window, if the Planning and Zoning Department finds that a site's equipment or activities exceed the chapter's allowable decibel levels, it may require the contractor to implement noise-mitigation methods under § 94.07(I).
What's the penalty for construction noise outside the exempt hours?
It's treated the same as any other Chapter 94 violation: $50 to $500 for a first offense, rising to $100 to $1,000 for a second offense within two years, per § 94.99(A). The Sheriff's Office handles the complaint under § 94.08.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Macon County

All Macon County rules

How Macon County compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·Compare Macon County to another location·View the Illinois noise ordinances overview

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