Minneapolis, MN Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Outdoor threshold
- 5 dB(A) above ambient level
- State standard adopted
- Minnesota Rules Chapter 7030
- Enforced by
- Health dept. and police
- Penalty track
- Criminal or administrative citation
Summary
Minneapolis holds industrial and commercial noise sources to Minnesota's statewide land-use noise standards and flags any outdoor sound measuring five decibels or more above the ambient level as a violation, enforced by the health department and police.
(b)Any sound measured outside in excess of the limits as set forth in Minnesota Rules, Chapter 7030 provided that such sound is five (5) dB(A) or more above ambient noise levels.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 389 sets the city's outdoor noise standard: any sound measured outside that exceeds the limits in Minnesota Rules Chapter 7030 and registers five (5) dB(A) or more above the ambient noise level is a violation under Minneapolis Code § 389.60(b). Section 389.15 adopts Minnesota Rules Chapter 7030 by reference, so factories, warehouses, and other commercial-source noise are measured against the same state land-use noise limits used statewide rather than a separate city decibel table. The commissioner of health, chief of police, or their designees enforce the chapter under § 389.40.
Violations & Fines
Enforceable as a criminal offense under § 1.30, as an administrative citation under Chapter 2, or through injunction, abatement, or mandamus, per § 389.120.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Minneapolis have its own decibel table for industrial noise?
Who enforces Minneapolis's industrial noise rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minneapolis
Compare Minneapolis to another location·View the Minnesota noise ordinances overview
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