Anoka County, MN Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential daytime L10
- 65 dBA
- Residential daytime L50
- 60 dBA
- Residential nighttime L10
- 55 dBA
- Residential nighttime L50
- 50 dBA
- State rule
- Minn. R. 7030.0040 (MPCA)
Summary
Local Anoka County city codes (like Blaine's) use a "plainly audible" test, not decibels. Numeric limits come from statewide MPCA rules: for residential areas, daytime 65 dBA (L10) / 60 dBA (L50), nighttime 55 / 50 dBA.
Noise Area Classification 1 [residential] — Daytime: L10 65 dBA, L50 60 dBA; Nighttime: L10 55 dBA, L50 50 dBA.
Full Breakdown
Blaine and other Anoka County cities enforce noise by an audibility standard rather than a sound meter. Minnesota's actual numeric decibel limits are set statewide by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in Minn. R. 7030.0040. For Noise Area Classification 1 (residential), daytime limits are 65 dBA (L10) and 60 dBA (L50); nighttime limits drop to 55 dBA (L10) and 50 dBA (L50). L10 is the level exceeded 10% of the hour; L50 the median. Daytime is 7 a.m.–10 p.m., nighttime 10 p.m.–7 a.m. These standards apply chiefly to fixed sources and are administered by the state, not the county.
Violations & Fines
MPCA noise-standard exceedances are addressed by the state agency; day-to-day residential complaints are handled locally as city nuisance violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the legal decibel limit in a Blaine neighborhood?
Does Anoka County measure noise in decibels?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anoka County
Compare Anoka County to another location·View the Minnesota noise ordinances overview
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