Caldwell, ID Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Caldwell's Public Noise Disturbance article (Title 7, Article 13) deliberately avoids decibel measurement. Section 07-13-02 (Definitions) describes noise using a 'plainly audible' concept—sound for which the information content is clearly communicated to the listener, such as understandable speech, whether a voice is raised or normal, or comprehensible musical rhythm, melody, or instrumentation, with an identifiable source. Section 07-13-03 then sets the operative limit by distance rather than decibels: 'loud or offensive noise' is sound plainly audible within a residence, business, hospital, farm with animals, or restaurant (other than the source) at a distance of one hundred fifty feet (150') or more from the source, and it is unlawful between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. For motor-vehicle sound systems, Section 07-13-04 lowers the distance to fifty feet (50') on a public right-of-way or street. Because there is no sound-level meter standard in the code, enforcement relies on what a person can hear at the prescribed distance rather than a measured dBA figure. This 'plainly audible' approach is common among Idaho cities. Daytime noise that does not meet these distance thresholds can still be addressed under the disorderly conduct standard (Section 08-01-27), which weighs reasonableness, time, and location instead of a numeric limit.