Ada County's noise ordinance uses no numeric decibel limit. Instead, noise is unlawful if 'plainly audible' inside another residence or business, or 100 feet or more away on a public street, during the 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM window.
Unlike some cities, unincorporated Ada County does not set dB(A) thresholds. Section 5-13-3 defines 'loud or unusual noise' as noise plainly audible within any residence or business other than the source, or upon a public right-of-way or street at 100 feet or more from the source. Enforcement is based on this audibility test rather than a sound meter, judged against a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness. State rules like Idaho Code 49-937 do reference a maximum decibel level for vehicle-exhaust noise as prima facie evidence.
Violations are misdemeanors under section 5-13-5, punishable per Idaho Code 18-113.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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