Waukegan, IL Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Waukegan, IL, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Residential night limit
- 50 dbA, 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Residential day limit
- 55 dbA, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Industrial night limit
- 75 dbA
- Measurement point
- Property line, 4 ft above grade
- First-offense fine
- $35.00-$200.00 (§ 11-35)
Summary
Waukegan caps continuous sound at 50 dbA in residential districts, 55 dbA in commercial districts and 75 dbA in industrial districts between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Readings above those night limits at the property line are prima facie evidence of unlawful noise under the city code.
(a)Established; measurement. The maximum permissible sound pressure levels of any continuous source of sound shall be as herein established for the time period and district listed in Table A of this section... Sound pressure levels in excess of those established for the districts of the city, in times herewith listed, shall constitute prima facie evidence that such sound is an unnecessary noise. Sound pressure levels shall be measured at the approximate location of the property line or the boundary of the public way, at a height of at least four feet above the immediate surrounding surface... TABLE A Sound Pressure Level Limit dbA District Day (7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.) Night (10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.) Residential ..... 55 50 Commercial ..... 60 55 Industrial ..... 80 75
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 113).
Full Breakdown
Section 11-32 of the Waukegan Code sets a two-tier decibel table (Table A) for every continuous noise source in the city: production, processing, cleaning, servicing, testing, operating or repairing vehicles, materials, goods or devices all count. ) run higher than nighttime limits: residential districts are held to 55 dbA by day and 50 dbA by night; commercial districts to 60 dbA day and 55 dbA night; industrial districts to 80 dbA day and 75 dbA night. Readings are taken with an A-weighted sound level meter at the property line or public-way boundary, at least four feet above grade.
If a noise source can be measured across more than one district, the most restrictive district's limit controls, and agricultural parcels are held to the commercial standard. The section exempts motor vehicles on public rights-of-way, church/clock/school bells and chimes, truck loading during business hours in a business district, and domestic and commercial power equipment. Enforcement runs through Section 11-35, which sets a general chapter 11 fine and lets the city route citations to administrative adjudication instead of Lake County Circuit Court, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
First offense under Section 11-35 draws a fine of not less than $35.00 and not more than $200.00; a second or later offense within a continuing violation draws not less than $50.00 up to the amount set in Section 1-13. Each day a violation is allowed to continue after notice is a separate, additional offense, and the city may send the citation to administrative adjudication instead of Circuit Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Waukegan's nighttime noise limits?
Does the night limit apply to my furnace or a passing truck?
What happens if I'm cited for exceeding the night limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukegan
How Waukegan compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Waukegan to another location·View the Illinois noise ordinances overview
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