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Outagamie County, WI Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Citation
§ 54-731(b)(4)a, construction restrictions
Threshold
66 dBA Leq(h), outdoor areas
Indoor facilities
must attenuate to 51 dBA
Geographic scope
1,320 ft of US Highway 41
Location
Town of Vandenbroek only

Summary

Along the Highway 41 corridor in the Town of Vandenbroek, Outagamie County blocks approval of new homes, schools and outdoor recreation sites where projected highway noise reaches 66 dBA Leq(h): a site-specific construction rule, not a countywide decibel ordinance.

City-specific rules exist: Little Chute, and Appleton have their own decibel limits rules that differ from Outagamie County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

No new single-family residential structure shall be approved for construction (excluding substantial repair or alteration) if any exterior hourly traffic sound level Leq(h) anywhere within a proposed outdoor living area is projected to be equal to or in excess of 66 dBA, as depicted in the noise contour analysis.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26).

Full Breakdown

Section 54-731(b)(4)a of the Outagamie County Code, part of the Highway 41 Overlay District's noise regulations, bars approval of a new single-family home if the projected exterior hourly traffic-noise level, Leq(h), in any outdoor living area reaches or exceeds 66 dBA under a required noise-contour analysis; multi-family housing, schools, hospitals and nursing homes face the same 66 dBA threshold, and indoor recreation facilities must be sound-attenuated to 51 dBA. The rule applies only within 1,320 feet of the U.S. Highway 41 centerline in the Town of Vandenbroek, per section 54-633, the county has no general decibel-limit ordinance for the rest of unincorporated Outagamie County.

Violations & Fines

There's no fine schedule in the noise article itself; the local planning agency simply denies a building, subdivision or zoning permit outright if the projected noise level meets or exceeds the 66 dBA threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Outagamie County have a countywide decibel limit?
No. Section 54-731's 66 dBA threshold only governs new construction within 1,320 feet of U.S. Highway 41 in the Town of Vandenbroek: it isn't a general noise ordinance.
What happens if a proposed outdoor living area exceeds 66 dBA?
The local planning agency won't approve the building unless sound attenuation such as berms or barriers brings the projected level below the threshold.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Outagamie County

Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsVehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsBarking DogsSome RestrictionsAmplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions

All Outagamie County rules

Compare Outagamie County to another location·View the Wisconsin noise ordinances overview

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Decibel Limits in Cities Across Outagamie County

Appleton, WILittle Chute, WI