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Wright County, MN Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Quiet hours in Wright County, MN, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.

Key Facts

Day limit
60 dBA L50 (NAC-1)
Night limit
50 dBA L50, 10pm-7am
State rule
MN Rules 7030.0040
Townships
Wright County nuisance code
Complaints
City police non-emergency

Summary

Minnesota's MPCA noise rule (MN Rules 7030.0040) caps residential sound at 60 dBA by day and 50 dBA (L50) overnight. Wright County cities like Buffalo and Monticello add 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. quiet hours; the county handles township nuisance noise.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Wright County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

These standards describe the limiting levels of sound established on the basis of present knowledge for the preservation of public health and welfare.

Source: Minnesota StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

Two layers govern noise across Wright County. Statewide, the MPCA standard in MN Rules 7030.0040 sets numeric limits at any receiving property: for residential land (NAC-1), L50 60 dBA and L10 65 dBA daytime, dropping to 50 and 55 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. On top of that, home-rule cities including Buffalo, Monticello, St. Michael, and Annandale set clock-hour quiet periods, generally 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., in their nuisance codes. In unincorporated townships, Wright County enforces its own nuisance ordinance and MN Stat. 561.01. Police non-emergency lines take complaints; MPCA handles industrial sources.

Violations & Fines

City noise-ordinance violations are misdemeanors or petty misdemeanors, with fines commonly $100 to $700 and escalating penalties for repeats. Industrial exceedances of the MPCA limits draw MPCA enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are quiet hours in Wright County?
Cities such as Buffalo, Monticello, and St. Michael set quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Statewide, MPCA rule 7030.0040 caps residential sound at 50 dBA overnight.
Does Wright County set noise rules?
For unincorporated townships, yes, through its nuisance ordinance and MN Stat. 561.01. Inside city limits, each city's own noise ordinance governs.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Wright County

All Wright County rules

How Wright County compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Wright County to another location·View the Minnesota noise ordinances overview

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