Kenosha, WI Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential daytime limit
- 60 dBA, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Residential nighttime limit
- 50 dBA, 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Commercial zones B-1 to B-4
- 70 dBA at all times
- Industrial zones M-1, M-2
- 75 dBA at all times
- Pure tone/impulsive correction
- minus 5 dBA below limit
- Enforcing agencies
- Health Dept. and Police Dept.
- Measured at
- receiving property's boundary
Summary
Kenosha caps sound at the receiving property line under City Code § 23.06's Table 1: 60 dBA in residential, public-space, open-space, agricultural and institutional zones from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., dropping to 50 dBA overnight. Commercial zones B-1 through B-4 hold to 70 dBA and industrial zones M-1/M-2 to 75 dBA at all times.
A.Maximum Permissible Sound Levels By Land Use. No person shall operate or cause to be operated on private property any source of sound in such a manner as to create a sound level which exceeds the limits sets forth in Table 1. when measured at or within the property boundary of the receiving land use. TABLE 1. SOUND LEVELS Transmitting Land Use Zoning Time Sound Level Limit, dBA A-1, A-2, C-1, IP, FW, RR-1, RR-2, RS-4, RS-2, RS-3, RD,RG-1, RG-2, RM-1, RM-2, and All Other Zoning Not Specifically Listed In This Table.(Residential, Public Space, Open Space, Agricultural or Institutional) 7:00 A.M.—10:00 P.M.
10:00 P.M.—7:00 A.M. 60 50 B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 At All Times 70 M-1, M-2 At All Times 75
B.Correction For Character of Sound. For any source of sound which emits a pure tone or impulsive sound, the maximum sound level limits set forth in Section 23.06.A. shall be reduced by five (5) dBA.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11 Update 1 | Zoning Ordinance: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
A bars anyone from operating a sound source on private property that exceeds Table 1's limits, measured at or within the property boundary of the receiving land use. ; commercial zones B-1 through B-4 are held to 70 dBA around the clock; and manufacturing zones M-1 and M-2 are held to 75 dBA around the clock. B tightens the standard for tonal or impulsive sound: any source emitting a pure tone or impulsive noise must cut its maximum permissible level by 5 dBA below the table figure. 4). 03, with the Health Department primary during City Hall business hours and Police primary at all other times. 07). 17).
Violations & Fines
Exceeding Table 1's dBA limits is enforced as a noise disturbance violation of Chapter XXIII, with the general penalty of Chapter IV, Ordinances, adopted by reference under Section 23.19. Noise found to violate the chapter is also declared a public nuisance subject to abatement proceedings under Section 23.04, and Section 23.18 allows a court to issue a restraining order or injunction against continued violations in addition to any forfeiture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kenosha's nighttime noise limit in residential zones?
Are commercial and industrial zones held to a different noise standard?
Does Kenosha treat tonal or beeping sounds differently?
Which noise sources are exempt from Kenosha's decibel table?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kenosha
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