Grand Rapids, MI Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)

Grand Rapids sets its quiet hours in the Noise Control Ordinance, Chapter 151, Article 5 of the City Code. There is no single curfew section. Two provisions do the work for people and for businesses, and both run through the same 7:00 a.m. morning cutoff.

For individuals, Section 9.63(10) prohibits anyone, between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., from yelling, crying, calling, shouting, whistling, or singing upon a public way, or in such proximity to a public way as to be distinctly and loudly audible upon that public way. The trigger is audibility on the street or sidewalk, so a loud conversation on a porch beside the sidewalk is covered.

For businesses, Section 9.64 defines Nighttime Hours as the time between 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7:00 a.m. of each subsequent day, and 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Section 9.64(3) then bars any entertainment or commercial business from emitting or permitting sound that is frequent, repetitive, or continuous from its premises, including any outdoor area under its control, and that is clearly audible to a person of normal hearing located 100 feet or more from the property line during those hours. The definition of sound includes amplified and unamplified sound, human voices of guests and employees, instrumental and vocal music, and electronic sounds.

An entertainment or commercial business is any person or entity holding a liquor license or indoor events license, or any business providing goods or services to customers for consideration. The responsible person can be an owner, member, or partner, a manager or person in charge, or an employee when no one senior can be identified.

Measured limits also tighten overnight. Under Section 9.65, the maximum sound pressure levels at residential and commercial district boundaries are 7 dB lower between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. than the daytime steady-noise values.

Other nighttime prohibitions appear in Section 9.63, including amplified sound across a residential property line, lawn and yard equipment, and construction work, each tied to the same 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. period.