De Pere short-term rental operators must comply with Chapter 146 (Noise Ordinance), which sets daytime hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and treats 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. as nighttime. The 2024 rewrite (Ordinance 24-03) regulates noise based on lot-line A-weighted decibel limits by zone category, with stricter limits applying when sound crosses into a residential zone. STR licensure is conditioned on compliance with all local nuisance and noise rules.
De Pere City Council adopted Ordinance 24-03 in January 2024, repealing and recreating Chapter 146 (Noise Ordinance) of the De Pere Municipal Code. Chapter 146 applies citywide to all sources of sound and is enforced by the De Pere Police Department alongside the city's general nuisance provisions. Section 146-3 defines daytime as the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., with nighttime running from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Section 146-9 (Lot line noise regulation) sets maximum A-weighted sound levels (dB(A)) measured at the property line based on the receiving zone category, with stricter limits for sound entering a residential zone from a mixed-use or commercial zone. Section 146-6 exempts powered lawn equipment, leaf blowers, and similar tools during daytime hours but bars their use between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and exempts construction during daytime hours Monday through Saturday. Short-term rentals (tourist rooming houses) operate under a license issued by the De Pere Health Department after Development Services zoning approval; the city application makes operators responsible for guest conduct, and the Health Department TRH license year runs July 1 through June 30. Wisconsin's right-to-rent statute, Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014, preempts outright bans on rentals of 7 or more consecutive days but expressly preserves municipal authority to enforce reasonable health, safety, and nuisance rules, including Chapter 146, on STR operators on the same terms as other residents. Police complaints called to non-emergency dispatch are documented against the licensed property, and repeated violations can support non-renewal at the next license cycle.
Sound from a short-term rental that exceeds the Chapter 146 lot-line dB(A) limits, or amplified sound, parties, and powered equipment during the 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. nighttime window, violates Chapter 146 and is enforced by the De Pere Police Department. Section 146 violations carry municipal forfeitures plus court costs, with each day a continuing violation. Documented noise complaints against a licensed tourist rooming house can support non-renewal of the city STR application or the De Pere Health Department TRH license at the next July 1 cycle.
De Pere, WI
De Pere regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. WI Stat. §947.01 applies.
De Pere, WI
De Pere considers excessive barking a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. WI Stat. §174 covers dog regulation statewide.
De Pere, WI
De Pere enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. The Fox River downtown area has entertainment venues that follow sound level limits. St. Norbert College cam...
De Pere, WI
De Pere enforces street parking restrictions locally. Winter alternate-side parking critical. No statewide consecutive parking limit. WI Stat. §346.503 applies.
De Pere, WI
De Pere restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight, size, and signage limits apply. Overnight heavy truck storage prohibited.
De Pere, WI
De Pere requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited. Driveway modifications require permits.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Brown County.
See how other cities in Brown County handle noise rules.
See how De Pere's noise rules rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.