Milwaukee, WI Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Quiet hours
- 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- Exempt from
- community noise standards (s. 80-64-1)
- Snow equipment
- excluded from the curfew
- Citation
- Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 80-67-4
- Max fine
- $500 per offense (general penalty)
Summary
Milwaukee exempts lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other garden power tools from its community noise standards, but bans running them between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. under the nuisance ordinance's noise-curfew rule.
Powered equipment such as lawn
mowers, small lawn and garden tools, riding
tractors and snow removal equipment which is
necessary for the maintenance of property, is
kept in good repair and maintenance, and which
equipment, when new, would not comply with the
standards set forth in this subchapter, shall be
exempted from the provisions of s. 80-64-1. No
person shall operate such equipment, with the
exception of snow removal equipment, during the
hours of 9 p.m. through 8 a.m., inclusive.
5. RESIDENTIAL
AIR
CONDITIONERS. Noise emitted by residential air
conditioners shall be judged by the criteria set
forth in s. 80-68.
-247-
5/20/2008
Full Breakdown
Under Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 80-67-4, powered lawn and garden equipment, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, small garden tools, riding tractors and snow removal equipment, is exempt from the city's community noise standards in s. 80-64-1, since well-maintained equipment of this kind would not meet those noise-level standards even when new. In exchange, the code sets a flat curfew: no one may operate this equipment, except snow removal machinery, between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. Snow removal equipment is carved out of the curfew entirely so crews can clear ice and snow overnight. The rule sits inside Volume 1's Chapter 80 Nuisances subchapter on noise.
Violations & Fines
Operating a leaf blower, mower or other covered garden tool between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. is a nuisance violation; the code's general penalty clause (s. 50-14) sets fines up to $500 per offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a leaf blower at night in Milwaukee?
Is snow removal equipment covered by the curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee
How Milwaukee compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·Compare Milwaukee to another location·View the Wisconsin noise ordinances overview
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Leaf Blower Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Milwaukee County handle leaf blower rules.