Weld County, CO Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential/commercial daytime limit
- 55 dB(A), 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Residential/commercial nighttime limit
- 50 dB(A), 9 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Industrial/construction limit
- 80 dB(A) day / 75 dB(A) night
- Enforcing officers
- Sheriff, Planning Services, Health Official
- First-offense fine
- $30 penalty assessment
- Oil and gas noise
- Fully exempt under § 14-9-60(L)
Summary
Weld County caps ambient sound at 55 dB(A) in residential and commercial areas and 80 dB(A) in industrial areas and construction sites during the day, dropping five decibels at night. County Code § 14-9-40 sets the numeric ceiling by land use and time, measured under § 14-9-50, with oil and gas operations exempt under § 14-9-60(L).
A.Sound levels shall be measured as provided for in Section 14-9-50 below.B.Sound levels are hereby established for each type of property during specific hours of the day. Any sound level which exceeds the level set for a type of property at any time of day is prohibited. Land Use Maximum Noise (dB(A)) 7:00 a.m. — 9:00 p.m. Maximum Noise (dB(A)) 9:00 p.m. — 7:00 a.m. Residential Property or Commercial Area 55 dB(A) 50 dB(A) Industrial Area or Construction Activities 80 dB(A) 75 dB(A) Nonspecified Areas 55 dB(A) 50 dB(A)
C.Between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., the noise levels set forth above may be exceeded by up to ten (10) decibels for up to fifteen (15) minutes in a one-hour period.D.Vehicles operating in the public right-of-way are subject to the following maximum noise levels: Vehicle Class (GVWR) Maximum Noise in Speed Limit 35 m.p.h. or less zone Maximum Noise in Speed Limit over 35 m.p.h. zone Manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (MGWR) over 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg), or any combination of vehicles towed by such motor vehicle 86 90 Any other motor vehicle or any combination of vehicles towed by any motor vehicle, including but not limited to automobiles, motorcycles, vans or light trucks, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg) 80 84
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Charter and County Code: Supplement 95).
Full Breakdown
B sets three sound-level tiers. m. Industrial areas and active construction sites get a higher ceiling, 80 dB(A) by day and 75 dB(A) overnight, and any area not otherwise classified is held to the same 55/50 dB(A) split as residential property. A separate exceedance allowance elsewhere in this same section lets brief nighttime spikes run higher for a short window each hour, but the baseline ceiling above is what applies for anything sustained. Readings are taken under § 14-9-50 with a standard ANSI-calibrated sound level meter, at least 25 feet from a right-of-way noise source or at the property line for a complaint on private land, and only when wind speed is 5 mph or less (25 mph with a windscreen).
The ordinance carves out a long list of exemptions in § 14-9-60, and for Weld County the most consequential is Subsection L: noise 'produced in the course of normal mining operations or oil and gas exploration, drilling and production' is not subject to these limits at all, reflecting the county's position at the center of Colorado's oil and gas industry. Lawnmowers, farm equipment, railroads, emergency vehicles, and permitted temporary assemblages are exempt too. Violations are enforced under § 14-9-70 by any law enforcement officer, Planning Services officer, or the County Health Official.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of the § 14-9-40 limits is a Class II petty offense carrying a $30 penalty assessment, $60 for a second violation within 12 months, and $300 for each violation after that, plus a mandatory $10 court surcharge on any conviction. The County Attorney prosecutes contested cases in County Court under § 14-9-80, and the Board of County Commissioners can also seek civil injunctive relief under § 14-9-90.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the maximum noise level allowed at my property line in unincorporated Weld County?
How is noise measured for a citation under this ordinance?
Are oil and gas operations exempt from Weld County's noise limits?
What's the penalty for a first noise violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Weld County
Compare Weld County to another location·View the Colorado noise ordinances overview
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