Madison, WI Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Madison, WI, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- MGO § 24.04(1)-(2)
- Fixed quiet hours
- None: reasonableness standard, all hours
- Penalty
- $25–$500 forfeiture per offense (§ 24.20)
- Backstop decibel cap
- 65 dBA at residential property line
- Enforcement
- Police Dept.; Building Inspection Div. for § 24.08
Summary
Madison has no clock-based curfew for everyday noise; instead MGO § 24.04(1)-(2) bans any noise that 'unreasonably disturbs the peace and quiet' of neighbors at any hour, day or night. Zoning-based decibel caps in § 24.08 back it up for stationary sources, running as low as 65 dBA in residential districts.
(1)It shall be unlawful for any person to make or assist in making any noise tending to unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet of persons in the vicinity thereof unless the making and continuing of the same cannot be prevented and is necessary for the protection or preservation of property or of the health, safety, life or limb of some person.(2)It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or other entity occupying or having charge of any building or premises, or any part thereof, to cause, suffer or allow any loud, excessive or unusual noise in the operation or use of any radio, stereo or other mechanical or electrical device, instrument or machine, which loud, excessive or unusual noise tends to unreasonably disturb the comfort, quiet or repose of persons therein or in the vicinity.
Full Breakdown
04(1) uses a reasonableness standard that applies around the clock: it is unlawful 'to make or assist in making any noise tending to unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet of persons in the vicinity' unless the noise cannot be prevented and is necessary to protect life, safety or property. Subsection (2) extends the same standard specifically to noise from a 'radio, stereo or other mechanical or electrical device' operated on any premises. 08, the Building Inspection Division respond to a report and assess whether the noise was unreasonable under the circumstances rather than checking a clock.
08(6) for stationary noise sources: sound reaching a residential, conservancy or planned mobile home park receiving zone from any source may not exceed 65 dBA, rising to 70 dBA for mixed-use receiving zones and 75 dBA for industrial receiving zones, measured at the property line. m. 04(1)-(2) itself has no fixed hours.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the general noise-disturbance standard in § 24.04 with no penalty specifically assigned elsewhere in the chapter draws a forfeiture of $25 to $500 per offense under § 24.20. Noise from a licensed premises that draws an 'Unreasonable Noise' citation under § 24.04(2) can also add demerit points against that establishment's liquor license under Chapter 38's point schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Madison have set quiet hours, like 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.?
What decibel level counts as too loud?
What's the fine for a noise complaint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison
How Madison compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Madison to another location·View the Wisconsin noise ordinances overview
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Quiet Hours in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dane County handle quiet hours.