Kent County, DE Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Kent County Code § 161-5, 'Allowable noise levels,' declares it unlawful to create a noise disturbance anywhere in the unincorporated county unless a special waiver has been granted. The section defines a disturbance by comparison to ambient sound rather than a single fixed decibel ceiling. Subsection A sets the general standard: 'A noise which exceeds the ambient noise level by 10 dBA, at the point of complaint origination within the receiving property, except as otherwise regulated herein.' Subsection B tightens that margin in the county's residential zones: 'A noise which exceeds the ambient noise level by five dBA at the point of complaint origination within the receiving property in areas zoned RS1, RS5, RMH, and RM, except as otherwise regulated herein.'

Two additional triggers apply regardless of zone. Subsection C treats any stationary source that emits a pure tone, a cyclically varying sound, or a repetitive impulsive sound as a disturbance if it exceeds ambient by five dBA. Subsection D cross-references the 'plainly audible' standard used elsewhere in the chapter, including the radio/TV rule in § 161-2B(2), the street-noise rule in § 161-2B(9) and the insect-killer rule in § 161-2B(12), so a sound that is plainly audible across a property line can violate the ordinance even without a formal decibel reading. Measurements are taken with a sound level meter meeting ANSI S1.4-1971 specifications under § 161-2B(11)(d).