Winnebago County, WI Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- vehicles on frozen inland lakes
- Noise cap
- 96 decibels, stationary
- Measured per
- SAE Standard J1287
- Forfeiture
- $40.00 per violation
- Excludes
- snowmobiles, ATVs
Summary
Winnebago County requires any motor vehicle driven on the frozen surface of an inland lake to run a working muffler, capping stationary exhaust and engine noise at 96 decibels under SAE Standard J1287.
No person shall operate a motor vehicle on the frozen surface of an inland lake unless it is equipped with a muffler in good working order. If not already regulated by Wisconsin Statute, while in stationary operation exhaust and overall engine noise levels shall not exceed 96 decibels as measured in accordance with the procedures established for the measurement of exhaust sound levels by the Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1287.
(g) No person under the influence of intoxicants or other drugs, to a degree which renders the person incapable of safely operating such motor vehicle, shall operate a motor vehicle on the frozen surface of an inland lake.
(6) Operation a Motor Vehicle on the Frozen Surface of an Inland Lake During Hours of Darkness: Any person operating a motor vehicle on an icebound inland lake during hours of darkness is required to light all headlamps, tail lamps, and clearance lamps with which the vehicle is required to be equipped.
(7) Penalty: Any person who violates any provision of this Section of the Code shall be
Full Breakdown
Ch. 9 § 9.36 regulates motor vehicles operating on the frozen surface of inland lakes under county jurisdiction, exempting snowmobiles and ATVs already covered by §§ 9.11 and 9.12. Subsection (5)(f) requires a working muffler and, where a state statute doesn't already govern it, limits stationary exhaust and overall engine noise to 96 decibels measured under SAE Standard J1287. It sits alongside speed, right-of-way, and headlamp rules for ice travel. This is an ice-surface rule; there is no separate on-road vehicle noise ordinance in this chapter.
Violations & Fines
Operating a vehicle on the frozen surface of an inland lake without a working muffler, or exceeding the 96-decibel stationary noise cap, is enforced under Ch. 9 § 9.36(7) with a $40.00 forfeiture plus any state surcharges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover road noise from cars and trucks?
What's the noise limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winnebago County
Compare Winnebago County to another location·View the Wisconsin noise ordinances overview
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