Rochester, MN Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Rochester, MN, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Party quiet hours
- 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Party size trigger
- 4 or more people
- Construction curfew
- 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. weekdays
- Default penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine, 90 days jail
- Amplified sound rule
- Audible 50 ft away = violation
- Governing section
- City Code § 8-7-8
Summary
Rochester bans parties or gatherings of four or more people between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. if noise from the group disturbs neighbors' peace and quiet. City Code Sec. 8-7-8(c) also makes it illegal to stay at such a gathering once it starts, and a separate general noise ban under Sec. 8-7-8(a) runs around the clock.
(c)Parties and gatherings. No person shall, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., attend or participate in any party or gathering of four or more persons from which noise emanates in sufficient volume to disturb the peace, quiet, comfort or repose of reasonable persons of ordinary sensibilities in any hospital or office, or in any dwelling, hotel, motel or other type of residence, or of any persons in the vicinity, nor shall any person visit or remain in any dwelling, structure or place where such party or gathering is taking place, except persons who have gone there for the purpose of abating such noise or disturbance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 8 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 8-7-8 of the Code of Ordinances covers noise city-wide. Subsection (a) bars any 'loud, unnecessary or unusual noise' that unreasonably annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, safety, health or repose of a reasonable person, at any hour, unless the noise cannot be prevented and is necessary to protect life or property. , no one may attend or participate in a party or gathering of four or more people if noise from it disturbs the peace of any hospital, office, dwelling, hotel, motel or other residence, or of anyone nearby.
The same subsection makes it a separate violation to visit or remain at such a gathering once it is underway, unless the visitor came specifically to help quiet things down. m. m. m. m. Monday, though the building inspector or city engineer can issue a short-term permit (up to three days, renewable) for urgent work. Subsection (e) separately bans playing a radio, stereo or other sound device so loudly it is 'plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet,' which the code treats as automatic proof of a violation.
Anyone who holds a sound-amplification permit issued under Chapter 8-11 has a defense to a Section 8-7-8 citation as long as they stick to the permit's conditions. Because Section 8-7-8 does not set its own fine, violations default to Rochester City Code Sec. 1-1-11: a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail, unless declared a petty misdemeanor, which caps the fine at $300.
Violations & Fines
A quiet-hours violation is a misdemeanor under the city's general penalty clause, Sec. 1-1-11: up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail, or both, plus prosecution costs. Officers may cite anyone at the gathering, not just the host, and may order the noise stopped or the sound device turned off on the spot; refusing to comply is a separate offense under Sec. 8-7-8(a).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited just for being at a loud party in Rochester?
Does Rochester's noise ban ever apply during the day?
What happens if I hold a sound-amplification permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rochester
How Rochester compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Rochester to another location·View the Minnesota noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.