Eagan, MN Noise Ordinances: Industrial Noise (2026)

Eagan regulates industrial and commercial noise through City Code Section 10.42, which adopts the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency noise standards by reference and makes it unlawful to create or maintain sound exceeding those standards. Under Minn. R. 7030.0040 and the MPCA's guidance, the noise area classification is based on the land use at the location of the person who hears the noise, not on the zoning of the source. This is the key point for industrial noise: 'noise from an industrial facility near a residential area is held to the NAC 1 standards if it can be heard on a residential property.' So while an industrial receiver (NAC-3) is allowed up to L10 80 / L50 75 dBA, and a commercial receiver (NAC-2) up to L10 70 / L50 65 dBA, any of that noise reaching a residential property must meet the residential limits of L10 65 / L50 60 dBA in the daytime and L10 55 / L50 50 dBA at night. The MPCA primarily enforces these standards at facilities for which it issues an air permit, but local governments are relied upon for most local noise concerns, and Eagan Police enforce the City's adopted standards. The City may also seek civil injunctive relief under Section 10.42. In addition, Minnesota requires municipalities to avoid approving new land uses that would immediately violate the state noise standard (Minn. R. 7030.0030), which factors into Eagan's land-use review.