Dane County, WI Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Ch. 34.04, Dane County Code
- Forfeiture range
- $25 to $100 per offense
- Coverage
- Unincorporated areas + towns without own ordinance
- Enforcing agency
- Dane County Sheriff's Office
- Key exemption
- Agricultural activity noise exempted
Summary
Dane County bans excessive noise from motor vehicles, radios and other mechanical devices countywide under ch. 34.04, wherever a person's stereo, muffler or engine noise unreasonably disturbs the peace, comfort or repose of neighbors. Violators face a $25 to $100 forfeiture per offense under the ch. 34.99 penalty schedule.
34.04 PROHIBITION OF EXCESSIVE NOISE DISTURBING THE PUBLIC PEACE. (1) Excessive noise defined. Excessive noise, as used in this section, shall mean any sound or level of sound of sufficient loudness that it tends unreasonably to disturb the peace, comfort, quiet or repose of persons in the vicinity of the noise including, but not limited to, any such noise produced in the operation or use of any radio, phonograph, tape or disc player, television or other mechanical or electrical device, machine or motor vehicle. (2) No person shall cause or participate in the production of any excessive noise... (3) This section shall apply in all areas of Dane County except in those municipalities which have an ordinance on the same subject matter.
Full Breakdown
04(1) of the Dane County Code defines "excessive noise" broadly to include "any such noise produced in the operation or use of any radio, phonograph, tape or disc player, television or other mechanical or electrical device, machine or motor vehicle" that tends to unreasonably disturb the peace, comfort, quiet or repose of persons nearby. Subsection (2) makes it unlawful for any person, or any property owner, user or occupier, to "cause, suffer, permit or participate in" producing that noise. The rule reaches booming car stereos, modified mufflers and unnecessary engine revving equally.
Subsection (3) limits the ordinance's reach: it applies in all areas of Dane County except municipalities (cities and villages such as Madison, Fitchburg or Middleton) that already have their own noise ordinance on the same subject, so incorporated areas fall back to their own municipal code instead. Subsection (4) carves out noise necessary for safety or property preservation, noise otherwise required by law, noise from an activity already regulated by other law, and noise from agricultural activity, a protection relevant to the county's many farms.
The Dane County Sheriff's Office enforces the section in the unincorporated towns and any covered municipality. A citation is a forfeiture (civil, not criminal) matter heard in county circuit court unless resolved by paying the listed amount, and each separate incident of excessive noise can be charged as its own violation.
Violations & Fines
Violating ch. 34.04 is a forfeiture-only offense under the ch. 34.99(2) penalty schedule, which sets the fine for a 34.04 violation at not less than $25 nor more than $100 per offense, plus court costs and prosecution costs under ch. 34.99(1). Nonpayment can escalate to enforcement through Dane County Circuit Court; the general ch. 34.99(1) confinement provision caps jail time for chapter 34 offenses generally at 30 days in default of payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this noise rule apply inside Madison?
What counts as excessive vehicle noise under ch. 34.04?
How much is the fine for a first violation?
Is farm equipment noise exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dane County
Compare Dane County to another location·View the Wisconsin noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.