Champaign County, IL Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Restricted hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Covered activity
- Vehicle operation on private property, § 3.2.F(3)
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Champaign County only
- Related rule
- Horns/sirens restricted under § 3.2.F(4)
- Notice period
- 15 days, or immediate if ongoing
- Minimum settlement fine
- $100
- Court fine
- $100-$500 first, $200-$500 repeat
Summary
Running or operating a motor vehicle on private property between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. is a public nuisance in unincorporated Champaign County if the noise is louder or longer than what's customary for the zoning district, under the county's Public Nuisance Ordinance.
F. Noise discernable by a person of average sensibility within any dwelling or lodging unit between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. when the noise is of an intensity, tone, characteristic, frequency of occurrence or duration as not to be customarily associated with uses permitted in the zoning district in which such dwelling or lodging unit is located including, but not limited to, noise generated by the following activities: ... 3. operation of motor vehicles or related equipment on private property;
Full Breakdown
F). The rule targets private-property vehicle operation, revving engines, running generators, idling equipment, rather than driving on public roads, which falls under state traffic law instead. It applies only in unincorporated Champaign County; Champaign, Urbana, Rantoul, Savoy and Mahomet enforce their own municipal noise codes for vehicle operation inside city limits. 4, separately treats bells, sirens, whistles and horns as nighttime nuisance sources, exempting only noncommercial unamplified bells or chimes. D). 4).
Violations & Fines
A nighttime vehicle-noise complaint brings a notice of violation with at least 15 days to stop, or immediate cessation for ongoing activity (Section 4.3.D). Settling costs the $100 minimum fine within 14 days (Sections 6.2.2, 6.3); an unresolved case risks a $100-$500 court fine per offense on a first conviction, $200-$500 on repeat violations (Section 6.4).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rev my truck or run a generator on my property at night in the county?
Does this rule cover driving on public roads?
Is honking a car horn at night restricted too?
What fine could I face for a vehicle noise violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Champaign County
Compare Champaign County to another location·View the Illinois noise ordinances overview
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