Evanston, IL Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Decibel limit
- 80 dB at property line
- Weekday curfew
- 6:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.
- Weekend curfew
- Fri 6pm-Sat 8am; Sat 5pm-Mon 7am
- Exception
- City Manager permit required
Summary
Evanston caps construction noise at 80 decibels measured from the property line during restricted evening and weekend hours, on top of the standard 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. building-work window.
any other construction noise which exceeds a decibel level of eighty (80) (measured from the property line from which the noise is emanating) is prohibited between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. weekdays, between 6:00 p.m. Friday and 8:00 a.m. Saturday, and between 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 7:00 a.m. Monday unless special permission is granted by the City Manager or his/her designee.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 9-5-20(C) sets normal construction hours at 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, with no work absent an emergency permit outside those windows. On top of that baseline, any construction noise exceeding 80 decibels measured at the property line is barred during added evening and weekend curfew windows, 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays, Friday evening through Saturday morning, and Saturday evening through Monday morning, unless the City Manager grants special permission.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding 80 dB at the property line during curfew hours, or building outside the 7 a.m.-9 p.m./8 a.m.-5 p.m. window without a City Manager permit, violates § 9-5-20(C).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a numeric decibel limit for construction noise in Evanston?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evanston
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Decibel Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle decibel limits.