Mosinee, WI Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Mosinee's noise ordinance does not leave 'too loud' to guesswork for stationary sources: § 54-193(d)(1)a sets a table of maximum permissible sound pressure levels measured at the property line, broken out by zone and time of day. Residential zones are capped at 60 db during the daytime noise rating period and 50 db at night. Commercial zones get a flat 70 db ceiling for both daytime and nighttime. Every other zone in the city is capped at 75 db around the clock. Two adjustments narrow those numbers further.

First, ambient noise, the background composite of sounds from many nearby and distant sources, is treated as a factor: if the noise being measured exceeds the ambient level by five db in any octave band, it counts as excessive even if it is under the flat ceiling. Second, if the noise is a pure tone or impulsive in character, five noise-rating numbers are subtracted from the table figures, tightening the limit for that kind of sound. In a residential zone, a violator is not just fined; subsection (d)(3) lets the monitoring officer order an immediate reduction to acceptable levels.

Measurements are taken with a sound level meter at the nearest lot line of the complaining premises, positioned at least three feet above the ground and three feet from any reflective surface, under subsection (d)(6). The common council may grant a hardship exemption to an existing industry that shows reasonable technological correction efforts under subsection (d)(7).