St. Peters, MO Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential day limit
- 59-70 dB, 7 AM-10:30 PM
- Residential night limit
- 54-65 dB, 10:30 PM-7 AM
- Commercial/S-D overlay limit
- 64-80 dB depending on time
- Industrial limit
- 74-85 dB
- Measurement point
- Front building line of receiving property
- Max fine
- $500 per day
Summary
In the City of St. Peters, Missouri, Section 210.390(F) sets objective decibel ceilings by zoning district and time of day. Residential limits run about 59 to 70 dB from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and drop to about 54 to 65 dB overnight, with higher ceilings in commercial and industrial districts.
Objective Noise Standards. In addition to the subjective standards established above, it shall be presumed that the allowable noise level limits have been violated whenever any noise or sound is projected from one property in the City onto another if such sound, measured at the front building line on the property receiving the sound, exceeds the following decibel standards at a location appropriate to determine the level of disturbance. ... Objective Noise Standards — Allowable Levels 15 min 8 min 2 min In residential zoning districts: 7:00 A.M. to 10:30 P.M. 59 — 61dB 62 — 64dB 68 — 70dB 10:30 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. 54 — 56dB 57 — 59dB 63 — 65dB
Full Breakdown
Section 210.390(F), Objective Noise Standards, presumes a violation whenever sound projected from one property onto another, measured at the front building line of the receiving property, exceeds the table's decibel limits, which vary by the averaging period used (2, 8 or 15 minutes) because longer averaging periods allow lower peaks. In residential zoning districts the range runs 59-61 dB (15-minute average) up to 68-70 dB (2-minute average) between 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., tightening to 54-56 dB up to 63-65 dB between 10:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Commercial districts and the S-D Special Old Town Overlay District allow roughly 64-80 dB depending on time and averaging period, and industrial districts allow roughly 74-85 dB. When the noise source sits in a different land-use category than the receiving property, the limit of the receiving property's district controls. Measurements must be taken with a Type S1A or better ANSI-compliant sound level meter set to A-weighting and slow response, at a height of three to ten feet above ground, and multifamily units are held to the same limits measured indoors with windows closed between adjoining units. The table was adopted by Ord. No. 7236 on December 19, 2019, replacing the prior subjective-only noise standard in Section 210.390(B).
Violations & Fines
The Code Enforcement Officer, the City Administrator or a designate, or a trained officer using a certified sound meter documents the reading, location, weather and equipment used on a signed record sheet before issuing a notice of violation. The accused gets a hearing at least seven days later at St. Peters City Hall, and an unresolved case can be referred to the Police Department for prosecution in St. Peters Municipal Court. Conviction is punishable by a fine of up to $500, with each day of continued excess treated as a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the residential decibel limit at night in St. Peters?
Are industrial zones allowed to be louder?
How is compliance measured?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Peters
Compare St. Peters to another location·View the Missouri noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.