Woodbury, MN Noise Ordinances: Industrial Noise (2026)

Woodbury controls industrial and commercial noise through a combination of its noise ordinance, its nuisance chapter, and state standards. Section 13-1 requires that the exhaust of any stationary internal combustion engine (as well as motor vehicles, motorboats, and snowmobiles) be discharged only through a muffler or device that effectively prevents loud or explosive noises. The general prohibition on distinctly and loudly audible noise that unreasonably disturbs others applies to commercial operations as well. The city's nuisance chapter, Chapter 15, reinforces this: Sec. 15-2(b) lists all unnecessary noises and annoying vibrations, and all unnecessary noises which tend to disturb the peace and repose of neighboring property owners, among the conditions declared a nuisance. For measured property-line limits, Minnesota Rules chapter 7030 governs. Under those state rules, industrial areas (NAC-3) may not exceed 80 dBA (L10) or 75 dBA (L50), commercial areas (NAC-2) 70/65 dBA, and these standards are administered through the MPCA framework. In practice, Woodbury separates heavy uses from homes through zoning, and a business generating excessive noise near a residential area can face enforcement under the city nuisance and noise provisions or, where measured, the state NAC limits.