Springfield, OH Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Nighttime limit
- 64 dB(A), 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Daytime limit
- 70 dB(A), 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Zones covered
- Residential, Office-Residential, University districts
- Measurement point
- Property line where noise originates
- Classification
- Minor misdemeanor, per-day offense
- Enacted
- Ordinance 91-95, passed 3-19-1991
Summary
In the City of Springfield, Ohio, Section 509.14 caps stationary noise, sound from a fixed source like a speaker or generator, at 64 dB(A) between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and 70 dB(A) between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. in Residential, Office-Residential, and University zoning districts, measured at the property line where the noise originates.
(b) Prohibitions. ... No person shall cause or permit noise levels from the operation of a stationary noise device or from any other source in excess of 64 dB(A) in any areas or districts of the City that are zoned Residential Office- Residential, and University in the Zoning Code between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or in excess of 70 dB(A) in any such areas or districts between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. All noise measurements shall be made on the property line where the noise originates. ... (e) Violation of this section is a minor misdemeanor. Each day a violation occurs shall be a separate offense.
Full Breakdown
Section 509.14 sets numeric decibel ceilings for stationary noise, defined as sound from any machine or device amplifying voice or music, or any other sound from a fixed location, as opposed to Section 509.13's separate limits for motor vehicle noise. Under subsection (b), no person may cause or permit noise from a stationary device or any other source to exceed 64 dB(A) in areas zoned Residential, Office-Residential, or University under the Zoning Code between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or 70 dB(A) in those same districts between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; all measurements are taken at the property line where the noise originates, including the nearest public right-of-way line for sound coming from a street.
The subsection carves out an exception for a fixed location holding a D-series liquor permit under Ohio R.C. 4303.13 through 4303.183 that operates as a legal nonconforming use, and for activity in the public right-of-way expressly permitted in writing by an authorized City official. Subsection (c) lets a court admit sound-level-meter evidence meeting ANSI Type II specifications in any prosecution, and subsection (d) declares any noise above these limits a public nuisance in its own right, giving the City an additional civil enforcement path beyond a criminal citation. The Springfield Police Division enforces the section citywide, and it was adopted by Ordinance 91-95 in March 1991.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Section 509.14 is a minor misdemeanor, and subsection (e) makes each day of excess noise a separate offense, so an ongoing rooftop unit, generator, or outdoor speaker running above the applicable 64 or 70 dB(A) limit can draw repeated citations. Because subsection (d) also labels the excess noise a public nuisance, the City can pursue nuisance abatement in addition to criminal charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nighttime noise limit in Springfield's residential areas?
Does the decibel limit change during the day?
How does the City prove a decibel violation in court?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
Compare Springfield to another location·View the Ohio noise ordinances overview
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