Des Plaines' noise ordinance under Title 6, Chapter 6 relies primarily on a plainly-audible and reasonableness standard rather than fixed dBA limits. Measured decibel enforcement between zoning districts follows Illinois Pollution Control Board rules (35 Ill. Adm. Code Parts 900–901).
Title 6, Chapter 6 of the Des Plaines City Code uses a plainly-audible and unreasonable-disturbance standard for most noise complaints, meaning officers do not generally need a sound-level meter to issue a citation. For zoning-boundary and industrial noise measurements, Illinois Pollution Control Board rules apply: 61 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime at the receiving property line for Class A (residential) land. Motor vehicle noise is regulated under the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/12-602). Des Plaines Police may use a calibrated meter for recurring industrial or commercial disputes but typically rely on the audibility test for residential party, music, and equipment complaints. Complaints go to (847) 391-5400.
Local fines range from $75 to $750 per violation under the City's administrative adjudication system. Measured IPCB violations carry higher state-level penalties enforceable by the Illinois EPA.
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines City Code Title 12 (Zoning) and Title 8 (Building) require residential driveways to be paved with approved hard-surface materials and meet width ...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines prohibits feeding deer, coyotes, raccoons, and other wild animals that creates a nuisance or attracts dangerous wildlife. Bird feeding is general...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines City Code prohibits keeping horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other livestock in all residential and most commercial districts. Only tradi...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines is not located in any wildfire hazard zone. As a fully developed Chicago suburb in Cook County, the City has no wildland-urban interface designat...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines prohibits weeds and rank vegetation over 8 inches and requires control of noxious weeds listed under the Illinois Noxious Weed Law (505 ILCS 100)...
Des Plaines, IL
Rainwater collection in rain barrels and cisterns is permitted in Des Plaines under the Illinois Rainwater Harvesting Act (415 ILCS 56). Collected water must...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how other cities in Cook County handle decibel limits.
See how Des Plaines's decibel limits rules stack up against other locations.
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