Ann Arbor, MI Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential day limit
- 61 dB(A), 7am-10pm
- Residential night limit
- 55 dB(A), 10pm-7am
- Commercial day limit
- 71 dB(A), 7am-10pm
- Commercial night limit
- 61 dB(A), 10pm-7am
Summary
Ann Arbor caps outdoor sound at the property line by zone and time: 61 dB(A) daytime/55 dB(A) nighttime for residential areas, 71 dB(A) daytime/61 dB(A) nighttime for commercial areas.
No person shall conduct or permit any activity that produces a dB(A) beyond his property line exceeding the levels specified in Table I. ... Residential 61 55 Commercial 71 61 (All limits expressed in dB(A)).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
Section 9:364 sets numeric ceilings for any sound crossing a property line under the city's noise ordinance, printed as Table I. Residential receiving property is capped at 61 dB(A) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 55 dB(A) overnight; commercial receiving property is capped at 71 dB(A) daytime and 61 dB(A) overnight. Mixed-use parcels are measured against the residential limit only on the residential-use portion. These figures are enforced citywide in the City of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, not under Washtenaw County's or Ypsilanti's separate codes.
Violations & Fines
A civil infraction of $50-$500 plus costs for a first violation, escalating to $100-$500 for a second and $200-$500 for a third within two years, plus possible community service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the maximum noise allowed at my property line in a residential area of Ann Arbor at night?
Are commercial properties held to a different noise limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ann Arbor
Compare Ann Arbor to another location·View the Michigan noise ordinances overview
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