Dubuque, IA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

City Code § 6-5-1 opens by banning any loud and excessive noise that causes annoyance or discomfort to a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, then lists specific prohibited sounds including two aimed squarely at vehicles. Subsection A bars sounding a horn or signaling device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus, or other vehicle on a city street or public place, except to give a danger warning, and separately bars sounding any such device for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time even as a warning. Subsection J bars discharging engine exhaust, whether from a steam engine, internal combustion engine, motorboat, or motor vehicle, into the open air unless it passes through a muffler or other device that effectively prevents loud or explosive noise, which reaches straight-piped or removed mufflers on cars and motorcycles.

The same chapter separately restricts vehicle repair noise in residential areas to the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily under § 6-5-1(I), and bars any stationary engine, pump, or fan from running loud enough to be excessive under § 6-5-1(K). The City Manager or a designee enforces chapter 6-5 (§ 6-5-6) and can grant a temporary variance permit for work that would otherwise violate the chapter if the work serves public health or welfare and keeps noise as low as practical (§ 6-5-7).