Ashwaubenon, WI Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Village Code § 7-2-25 regulates conduct on 'premises held out to the public for use of their motor vehicles,' meaning parking lots, drive-up areas and similar quasi-public lots rather than public streets themselves (the section expressly states it does not apply to any street or highway). Within that scope, subsection (B)(5) bars operating any registered motor vehicle, motor bicycle or motorcycle unless it carries an adequate muffler in constant operation, properly maintained to prevent excessive or unusual noise or annoying smoke. The same subsection's (B)(4) separately bars parking, stopping or operating a vehicle on those premises while a radio or other electric sound amplification device emits sound clearly audible from 50 feet or more, unless the device calls for help or warns of danger.

For actual streets and highways, the operative noise control is § 7-2-29, which flatly prohibits compression, or 'Jake,' braking, engine braking or 'Jacob's brakes' on any state trunk highway (Wis. 02), county trunk highway (Wis. 025) or local Ashwaubenon street. The only exception is a genuine emergency presenting immediate danger to life or property, and authorized emergency vehicles responding to a call, pursuing a violator, or en route to (not returning from) a fire alarm are exempt under § 7-2-29(B). Public Safety officers enforce both sections; § 7-2-29 was added by Ordinance No. O11-2-09 in 2009 and remains current under the code updated 6/24/2026.