Quiet hours in Bozeman, MT — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Bozeman regulates noise under Chapter 16, Article 6 of the Bozeman Municipal Code. Rather than fixed citywide decibel caps for everyday noise, the city uses a 'reasonable person' nuisance standard that prohibits raucous noise which unreasonably disturbs the peace, comfort, or repose of others. A separate construction-noise standard adds a nighttime decibel test (see Construction Hours).
Bozeman's general noise rules live in Chapter 16 (Environment and Health), Article 6 of the Bozeman Municipal Code. The core prohibition bars 'raucous noise or any noise which unreasonably disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of reasonable persons of ordinary sensibility.' For most everyday noise - parties, stereos, machinery - Bozeman applies this nuisance/'reasonable person' test rather than a single fixed dBA cap, so context (time of night, duration, neighborhood) matters. The city's 2024 update to the noise code (its first revision since 2001) layered a specific decibel standard on top for construction activity. Day-to-day complaints are handled by the Bozeman Police Department and the city's Neighborhood Services / Code Compliance division (406-582-2222), which can issue citations. A noise violation is a municipal misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or up to six months in the county jail.
A Chapter 16 noise violation is a municipal misdemeanor. On conviction it carries a fine of up to $500 and/or up to six months in the county jail, with penalties typically escalating for repeat offenses. Bozeman Police can cite directly for an in-progress disturbance; Code Compliance handles ongoing nuisance noise through its enforcement process.
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