Macon County, IL Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime limit
- 60 dBA, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Nighttime limit
- 55 dBA, 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Measurement point
- Complainant's property line
- Distance trigger
- 300 ft day / 100 ft night
- First-offense fine
- $50 to $500
- Enforcing agency
- Macon County Sheriff's Office
- Applies to
- Unincorporated residential zoning only
Summary
Unincorporated Macon County caps outdoor sound reaching a residential property at 60 dBA between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., dropping to 55 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Macon County Code § 94.06 measures the level at the complaining neighbor's property line, and any sound over the limit is declared a public nuisance.
(A) During day hours. No person shall make, continue, or cause to be made the emission of sound during daytime hours (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m) from any noise source to any receiving residential land: ... (2) Which exceeds 60 dBA when measured at any point within such receiving residential land shall be in violation of this chapter; provided, however, that the point of measurement shall be on the property line of the complainant. ... (B) During night hours. No person shall make excessive, unnecessary, continuous, unreasonable, continue, or cause to be made the emission of sound during nighttime hours (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) from any noise source to any receiving residential land: ... (2) Which exceeds 55 dBA when measured at any point within such receiving residential land; provided, however, that point of measurement shall be on the property line of the complainant.
Full Breakdown
Macon County Code Chapter 94 sets a two-part noise standard for unincorporated residential land. ) violates the chapter if it can be heard 300 feet or more from its source, or if it exceeds 60 dBA measured at any point on the receiving property, with the measurement point set at the complainant's property line. 06(B) tightens both triggers: sound audible from 100 feet or more, or exceeding 55 dBA at the property line, is a violation. 06(C). 06(D) places the measurement point at the outer property line of the structure, not at the interior walls separating individual units. 04(B)). 05). 08). 07.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of the daytime or nighttime decibel limit carries a fine of $50 to $500; a second violation within two years of the first raises the fine to $100 to $1,000, per § 94.99(A). An offense occurring more than two years after a prior one is treated as a first offense again. The county must give the property owner written notice, by personal service, certified mail, or newspaper publication if the address is unknown, before enforcement proceeds under § 94.09.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the daytime noise limit in unincorporated Macon County?
What is the nighttime noise limit?
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What is the penalty for exceeding the limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Macon County
Compare Macon County to another location·View the Illinois noise ordinances overview
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