Noise Ordinances in North Dakota (2026)
14 rules on the books across North Dakota, 3 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Quiet Hours
Nighttime and early morning noise restrictions. Most cities set specific hours when loud activities like lawn mowing, parties, and power tools are not allowed.
Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo specifically prohibits loud radios, horns and bells, and shouting during overnight hours in the Downtown Business…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsGrand Forks keeps mechanically powered saws, sanders, drills, grinders and lawn or garden tools off residential yards…
Read full rule →Construction Hours
When construction, demolition, and heavy equipment may run in residential areas. Most cities regulate this by hours and days rather than volume; violations can bring stop-work orders and fines.
Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsGrand Forks bars construction, drilling and demolition tools from running between 10 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. on weekdays…
Read full rule →Fargo
Few RestrictionsFargo's noise ordinance sets nighttime quiet hours citywide, but construction and maintenance work at the job site is…
Read full rule →Barking Dogs
Rules about excessive or continuous dog barking, including how complaints are filed, time-of-day limits, and penalties for owners.
Cass County
Some RestrictionsCass County's Animal Control Ordinance #1998-3 declares excessive or continuous barking, whining or howling a public…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsThe City of Grand Forks bans barking dogs outright. City Code Section 11-0116 makes it unlawful to harbor or maintain…
Read full rule →Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Rules for loudspeakers, live bands, DJ equipment, and outdoor music at homes, venues, and events, decibel limits, permitted hours, and when an amplified-sound permit is required.
Fargo
Significant RestrictionsFargo requires a police-issued permit before using sound amplifying equipment outdoors, bars permits entirely in…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Grand Forks, radios, TVs, musical instruments and sound amplifiers cannot run between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m…
Read full rule →Aircraft Noise
Local regulations related to noise from airports, flight paths, and helicopter operations near residential areas.
North Dakota: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsNorth Dakota's Airport Zoning Act (N.D.C.C. ch. 2-04) lets counties, cities, park districts, and townships zone airport…
Read full rule →Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 11-0206 makes it unlawful to operate any aircraft, including helicopters, over the city…
Read full rule →Decibel Limits
The decibel thresholds cities enforce, usually as a table by zone and time of day, residential, commercial, and industrial limits, how noise is measured, and what happens at the property line.
Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo caps noise crossing from one property into another at set decibel levels by zoning district, with lower limits…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsGrand Forks Table II under section 10-0507 sets numeric decibel ceilings by zoning district and time of day: 55 dB in…
Read full rule →Vehicle Noise
Rules about loud vehicle exhaust, modified mufflers, racing engines, and stereos audible at distance. Covers what officers measure and typical fines.
Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo bans loud exhaust cutouts and caps motor-vehicle noise at 80-92 dB(A), with compression ("jake") brakes on…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsCity Code § 8-0617 requires every motor vehicle driven on a Grand Forks highway to carry a working muffler that…
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