Evanston, IL Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)

Section 9-5-20(G)(1) targets "any radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, television receiving set or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound" operated in a manner that disturbs "the peace, quiet and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants" or with louder volume than necessary for the convenient hearing of persons who are "voluntary listeners" in the room, chamber, vehicle or outdoor area where it is playing. from Friday evening through Sunday morning," and on evenings before national holidays and the school holidays listed in 105 ILCS 5/24-2, so that it is "plainly audible at a distance of fifty (50) feet from the location of such set, instrument or device," is "prima facie evidence of a violation of this Section," meaning the City does not have to separately prove the sound was unreasonable once it clears the fifty-foot threshold during those hours.

This sits inside the Chapter's general noise nuisance rule, which makes it unlawful for any person to make, continue, or permit any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise that annoys a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities anywhere in Evanston, day or night; Subsection (G) simply gives police an objective, distance-based test for the overnight hours instead of relying only on the general nuisance standard. , if it disturbs the peace of people in dwellings or offices nearby.