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Anchorage, AK Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Industrial emitting limit
80 dBA at any receiving line
Day and night
Same 80 dBA, no night cut
Governing section
AMC 15.70.080, Table 1
Enforcement
Anchorage Health Department
Permits
Available under AMC 15.70.070

Summary

Anchorage caps industrial-source noise at a flat 80 dBA at the property line, whether it reaches a residential, commercial, or industrial neighbor, with no nighttime step-down like other emitters face.

...no person shall operate or allow to be operated on public or private property any source of sound in such a manner as to create a sound level that exceeds the limits set forth for the receiving land use category in Table 1 of this chapter when sound levels are measured at or within the real property boundary of the receiving land use... Emitting Property Industrial: Residential 80, Commercial 80, Industrial 80 (7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.)... Industrial 80, 80, 80 (10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.)

Source: AMC Chapter 15.70 Noise ControlView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5010260; v11 updated 2026-09-01).

Full Breakdown

AMC 15.70.080's Table 1 sets property-line noise limits by emitting and receiving land use. An industrial source may emit up to 80 dBA Lmax measured at any receiving property line - residential, commercial, or industrial - and that 80 dBA cap holds around the clock, for both the 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. periods. That's louder than what residential emitters face (60 dBA day into a residential receiver, dropping to 50 dBA at night) or commercial emitters (70 dBA day, 60 dBA night). The Anchorage Health Department enforces the standard and can issue noise permits under 15.70.070.

Violations & Fines

Anchorage Health Department can issue enforcement orders with fines, penalties and costs under 15.70.110, up to double for a repeat violation within one year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Anchorage's industrial noise limit change at night?
No. Table 1 sets a flat 80 dBA Lmax limit for industrial emitters into any receiving property, day or night, unlike residential and commercial sources, which face lower nighttime caps.
Which agency enforces Anchorage's industrial noise standard?
The Anchorage Health Department enforces AMC 15.70.080 and can issue construction, event or other noise permits under 15.70.070 for activity that would otherwise exceed the limit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Anchorage

Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsConstruction HoursSome RestrictionsAmplified Music & Outdoor SoundSignificant RestrictionsVehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsBarking DogsSome RestrictionsAircraft NoiseLight RestrictionsLeaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet Groomer RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife FeedingSome Restrictions

All Anchorage rules

Compare Anchorage to another location·View the Alaska noise ordinances overview

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