Noise from Specific Sources in Wisconsin (2026)
16 rules on the books across Wisconsin, 9 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
Noise limits for air conditioners, heat pumps, pool equipment, and other mechanical systems, including decibel thresholds measured at the property line.
Milwaukee
Some RestrictionsMilwaukee bars residential air conditioners from exceeding set decibel limits in a neighbor's sleeping room, with…
Read full rule →Wauwatosa
Some RestrictionsWauwatosa Municipal Code Section 7.46.100 bars operating or maintaining any air moving, conditioning or cooling…
Read full rule →Brown County
Few RestrictionsBrown County exempts noise from residential air conditioners in good working order from its Chapter 39 decibel limits…
Read full rule →Bar & Nightclub Noise
Noise regulations specific to bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues, including bass frequency limits, soundproofing requirements, and complaint procedures.
Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha bars, taverns and nightclubs must keep noise from disturbing the surrounding neighborhood under Municipal Code…
Read full rule →Fond Du Lac County
Light RestrictionsFond du Lac County prohibits bars, nightclubs and other venues in unincorporated areas from running a public address…
Read full rule →Car Alarm Limits
Maximum duration for car alarms before they must auto-silence, penalties for repeated false alarms, and vehicle towing authority for chronic alarm violations.
Ashwaubenon
Some RestrictionsAshwaubenon has no standalone car-alarm ordinance. A vehicle alarm falls under the Village's general noise rule…
Read full rule →Fond Du Lac County
Light RestrictionsFond du Lac County treats a car alarm or other vehicle signal device left sounding for an unreasonable period as a…
Read full rule →Generator Noise
Rules for portable and standby generators, including permitted operating hours, decibel limits, and restrictions during non-emergency use.
Winnebago County
Significant RestrictionsRunning a generator, sound truck, or loudspeaker that produces excessive or unusual noise in a Winnebago County park…
Read full rule →Fond Du Lac County
Some RestrictionsFond du Lac County requires a stationary internal combustion engine, such as a portable generator, to exhaust through a…
Read full rule →Milwaukee
Some RestrictionsFood peddler vehicles that run a generator in Milwaukee can't exceed an average of 80 decibels measured 4 feet from the…
Read full rule →Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha caps the noise of a Mobile Food Vendor's generator at 70 dB(A) measured 50 feet away, under Municipal Code §…
Read full rule →Appleton
Few RestrictionsAppleton's noise ordinance caps outdoor sound at 60 dB(A) daytime and 50 dB(A) nighttime in residential zones, but City…
Read full rule →Delivery Truck Noise
Time-of-day restrictions on commercial delivery trucks operating in residential zones, including back-up beepers, refrigeration units, and engine idling.
Burlington
Some RestrictionsBurlington City Code § 315-26L(3) caps truck engine and refrigeration-unit noise at loading docks in the B-1…
Read full rule →Milwaukee
Some RestrictionsMilwaukee bans running a compressor, air conditioner, or other noise-making device attached to a parked truck on a…
Read full rule →Wauwatosa
Some RestrictionsWauwatosa Municipal Code Section 7.46.110 bars any unnecessary or unreasonably loud or harsh sound from loading or…
Read full rule →Low-Frequency Bass Limits
Special bass-frequency (≤125 Hz) sound limits for venues, including dB(C) measurement standards and how cities differentiate bass noise from baseline ambient.