Noise ordinances › Des Moines, IA

Des Moines noise ordinance: quiet hours, limits and complaints

Last updated: October 21, 2026

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Quiet hours in Des Moines

The P1 and residential limit in Table 1 is 60 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 50 from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; the other categories' limits apply at all times (42-254(a)). Construction: no person may operate tools or equipment in construction, drilling or demolition work, or in preventive maintenance work for public service utilities, between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (42-260); using sound equipment, or construction tools or equipment beyond the hours of 42-260, so as to create a noise disturbance requires a permit (42-258(a)), and the type "J" night-construction permit is limited to residential construction for a nonprofit or philanthropic organization on an expedited schedule approved by the community development director, for occupation by low or moderate income persons, and is processed as a variance (42-258(f)(10), 42-264(b)). Domestic electrical power tools and motor-powered, muffler-equipped lawn, garden and tree trimming equipment are outside the Table 1 limits between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. (42-254(a)(2)). Loading, unloading, opening, closing or handling boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans or similar objects may not create a noise disturbance across a residential property boundary or within a noise sensitive area between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. (42-256(b)); garbage and other solid waste collection trucks may not pick up or empty a dumpster or container in, or within 150 feet of, a zoning district or portion of a PUD district that includes a residential use between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., with elementary and secondary schools and hospitals exempt and site exceptions possible from the city manager (42-259(e)). Powered model vehicles are barred outdoors or in a noise sensitive area from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (42-256(d)); recreational vehicles may not be operated on public or private land between 10:30 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., except when legally operated on public streets (42-259(c)(2)-(3)). Vehicle sound systems: clearly detectable at 50 feet is a violation from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and at 25 feet from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (42-259(d)). Stationary emergency signaling devices may be tested only at the same time of day each time, not before 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m., for no more than 60 seconds (42-255(b)), and business emergency generators are exempt from the article only when tested at the same time of day each time, not before 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m., with the minimum cycle test time (42-251(15)). Sound permits carry their own hours: type "A" permits 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., or in the downtown areas and the East Village street closure area 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, the Sunday of Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends and a Sunday Fourth of July; church, school and residential street-closing permits 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; most venue permits 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and to 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (42-258(f)). The code sets no separate weekend or holiday rule for ordinary neighbors.

Decibel limits

Yes, numeric limits. Table 1 of Sec. 42-254(a) sets limits "at or within the real property boundary of a receiving land use", with one figure per category serving as both the unamplified limit in dBA and the amplified limit in dBC: P1 and residential zones (N1-N5, NX1-NX3, NX2a, NM and a residential legacy PUD) 60 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 50 from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; mixed use and commercial zones (legacy PUD, DX1, DX2, DXR, MX1-MX3, CX) 65 at all times; industrial zones (EX, I1, I2) 75 at all times; a noise sensitive area 55 at all times; the F flood district 65 at all times. If the ambient noise level exceeds the maximum, the maximum is raised to equal the ambient level (42-253). The table does not apply to emergency signaling devices (42-255), motorized vehicles (42-259), construction (42-260), stationary non-emergency signaling devices (42-261), noise covered by a sound variance (42-264), or daytime electrical power tools and muffler-equipped lawn, garden and tree trimming equipment (42-254(a)). "Immediate threat" limits measured at 50 feet (42-254(b), Tables 2 and 3): continuous sound of 90 dBA for 24 hours, 93 for 12 hours, 96 for 6 hours, 99 for 3 hours, 102 for 1.5 hours, 105 for 45 minutes and 108 for 22 minutes (five dBA lower for a pure tone), and impulsive sound of 140 dB once, 130 dB 10 times or 120 dB 100 times in 24 hours; an enforcing official must order such sound halted, unless the only people exposed are trespassers, people invited onto the property by the person causing it, or that person's employees. Motor vehicles of a type subject to registration, measured at 50 feet (42-259(b)): 10,000 lbs. or more gross vehicle weight rating 88 dBA where the legal speed limit is 35 mph or less and 92 dBA above 35 mph; motorcycles 82 and 86; other motor vehicles 76 and 82. Recreational vehicles must meet Table 1 (42-259(c)(1)). Sound permits allow set dBC levels for amplified sound, for example 85 dBC at the permitted property's boundary (or 50 feet from the equipment at a street closing) for type "A" permits in industrial, commercial and mixed-use areas, and 65 dBC for type "B" (parks in residential zones), "C" (church or school grounds), "D" (residential street-closing events) and "E" (business background sound) permits (42-258(f)). Measurement (42-263(d)-(f)): a sound level meter meeting ANSI standards, used to the manufacturer's specifications for a valid test; A-weighted readings use Fast (125 millisecond) time integration (LAF), and permits stated in C-weighting use C-weighted Fast (LCF); a "sound violation" means readings taken at the LCFmax that exceed the permitted level of amplified noise (42-246). Rules with no meter: any noise disturbance, defined to include any sound which unreasonably disturbs a person of normal sensitivities or exceeds the article's decibel levels, judged by factors including the level of the noise, background noise, proximity to sleeping facilities, time of day, duration, recurrence and the level and intensity of bass or low tones (42-246, 42-252); musical instruments, vehicle and motorboat repairs, and animals creating a noise disturbance across a residential property boundary (42-256(c), 42-257, 42-262); and vehicle sound systems clearly detectable at 50 feet by day or 25 feet at night (42-259(d)).

What the ordinance actually says

Sec. 42-254(a): "With the exception of sound levels elsewhere specifically authorized or allowed in this article, no person shall make, continue, or cause to be made or continued, any sound which exceeds the following sound level limits at or within the real property boundary of a receiving land use:"

Sec. 42-254(a): "For the purposes of this article, unamplified sound levels in excess of the dBA and amplified sound levels in excess of the dBC listed in table 1 shall be deemed a violation, except this subsection shall not apply to:"

Sec. 42-260: "No person shall operate or permit the operation of any tools or equipment in construction, drilling or demolition work or in preventive maintenance work for public service utilities between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m."

Sec. 42-259(d): "No person operating or in control of a motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, watercraft, or vessel shall operate or permit the operation of a sound system in the vehicle so as to produce a vibration or sound that is clearly detectable at a distance of 50 feet from the vehicle between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. or clearly detectable at a distance of 25 feet from the vehicle between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m."

Sec. 42-262: "No person shall own, possess or harbor any animal or bird which frequently or for continued duration emits sounds native to the species which are a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary or within a noise sensitive area."

Sec. 42-263(b): "The sections of this article which prohibit the making, continuing, or causing the making or continuing of a noise disturbance across a real property boundary or within a noise sensitive area shall be enforced upon receipt of complaint made or filed with city officials by a person disturbed by such noise disturbance or by direction of the chief of police or his or her designee."

Quoted verbatim from the official codified text (Des Moines Municipal Code, Chapter 42 "Environment", Article IV "Noise Control" (cited as the "Noise Control Ordinance of the City of Des Moines", Sec. 42-247), Secs. 42-246 through 42-268: 42-246 Definitions, 42-247 Title, 42-248 Statement of public policy, 42-249 Purpose, 42-250 Scope, 42-251 Exceptions to article, 42-252 Noise disturbance prohibited, 42-253 Ambient noise level, 42-254 Maximum permissible sound levels by receiving land use; immediate threat, 42-255 Emergency signaling devices, 42-256 Specific activities prohibited, 42-257 Musical instruments and similar devices, 42-258 Sound equipment, sound amplifying equipment and construction equipment, 42-259 Motorized vehicles, 42-260 Construction, 42-261 Stationary non-emergency signaling devices, 42-262 Animals and birds, 42-263 Enforcement, 42-264 Application for sound variances or type "J" permits, 42-265 Reserved, 42-266 Denial, or revocation of a sound permit, 42-267 Reserved, 42-268 Penalty. Article IV was enacted by Ord. No. 14,746, adopted Feb. 25, 2008, which repealed the former noise pollution article, and has been amended by Ord. Nos. 14,752, 14,774, 14,868, 14,976, 15,237, 15,474, 15,566, 15,645, 15,819, 15,853, 15,969, 16,064, 16,127 and 16,328; Ord. No. 15,566 (adopted March 20, 2017) repealed Secs. 42-265 and 42-267.). Verified against the live code on 2026-10-21. Ordinances get amended — before acting on a specific provision, check the linked official code. This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.

How to file a noise complaint in Des Moines

Des Moines Police: the police department page says "In an emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, call dispatch at (515) 283-4811", and its Contact Us page says "For non-emergencies, call dispatch 24 hours a day at (515) 283-4811." The City's Report a Problem page lists, under Police, Emergency: 911, Non-Emergency: (515) 283-4811 and General: (515) 283-4824; it lists no noise category. For animals, the police Animal Care page says "To report a concern about an animal or a problem with an animal in Des Moines, call (515) 283-4811 or, if it is an emergency, call 911." Under the code, the noise program is implemented, administered and enforced by the community development and police departments, and noise disturbance rules are enforced on a complaint from a person disturbed by the noise or at the direction of the chief of police or a designee (42-263(a)-(b)); sound permits are applied for in writing to the zoning enforcement officer (42-258(d)) and variances in writing to the community development department at least 30 days ahead (42-264(c)). Sources: https://www.dsm.city/departments/police/index.php, https://www.dsm.city/departments/police/about/contact_us.php, https://www.dsm.city/report/report_a_problem.php, https://www.dsm.city/departments/police/animal_care.php.

Step by step, with what to log and what to expect after you file: how to file a noise complaint in Des Moines. For the general playbook — documenting the problem, talking to a landlord or HOA, when 311 beats 911 — see the noise complaints guide.

Worth knowing

Notable quirks: (1) One number, two meters: Table 1 gives a single figure per category that is read as dBA for unamplified sound and dBC for amplified sound, so amplified music is held to 50 dBC at the property boundary of land in a residential zone at night (42-254(a)). (2) The limit rises with the background: if the ambient level already exceeds the maximum, the maximum becomes the ambient level (42-253). (3) Construction has no daytime decibel cap (42-260 is excluded from Table 1) but is banned from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.; a night-construction (type "J") permit exists only for expedited residential construction for nonprofit or philanthropic organizations building for low or moderate income persons (42-258(f)(10), 42-264(b)). (4) Exceptions (42-251) include emergency alerts and emergency work, noncommercial public speaking and public assembly (except musical instruments under 42-257), the unamplified human voice (except hawking under 42-256(a)), agricultural activities other than animals, snowmobiles regulated by I.C. ch. 321G, rail, air and public mass transportation vehicles, activities at the state fairgrounds during the annual state fair, military operations, the legal discharge of weapons and city-licensed fireworks displays, snow removal equipment, permitted parades, marching bands and athletic events, government vehicles on official duty, and business emergency generators tested at the same time of day, not before 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m., with the minimum cycle; the council may also deem a noise acceptable because of public acceptance of the activity (42-250). (5) Businesses may not let sound escape through walls, rooftops, vents, roof top mechanical units, or doors or windows left open (except for customers' ingress and egress) so as to create a noise disturbance (42-256(e)); sound equipment for commercial advertising that may be plainly audible from any public street or public place is barred (42-258(g)); selling by shouting or raised voice is barred in residential and commercial areas (42-256(a)). (6) Owners, employees, managers, agents, contract buyers, tenants and lessees of the property where a violation is found are jointly and severally responsible (42-246, "Person responsible"). (7) Sound permits come in lettered types A to Q (42-258(f)), with their own dBC caps and hours, among them: type "F" Brenton Skating Plaza (112 dBC at front of house, 75 feet from the sound); "G" special-event live performances in the downtown areas and East Village street closure area (112 dBC at 50 feet, generally twice a year per address); "H" farmers markets with a street closure (85 dBC); "I" Lauridsen Amphitheater at Waterworks Park (114 dBC at front of house, 125 feet from the stage); "L" privately held recreational areas over 40 acres (112 dBC at 50 feet); "M" the Blank Park Zoo Foundation parcel and the Water Works Park field (114 dBC at front of house and 85 dBC at the nearest residence); "N" Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater (100 dBC at the middle cement crosswalk); "O" Riverview Amphitheater (114 dBC at front of house); "P" Botanical Center (112 dBC); and "Q" 900 Mulberry Street (90 dBC up to six times and 85 dBC for up to 18 permits a calendar year at the property boundary, with notice to adjacent residents and speakers facing SW 9th Street). Staff can require a permit holder to keep a sound level meter on site, for example at concerts and street closures, with readouts available during the event and on request for 30 days after (42-258(e)). (8) A permit can be revoked after a second finding of a violation of its terms within 12 months, and written statements or a petition from 25 percent or more of the occupants of single family or duplex residences and the owners or managers of multiple residence structures within 200 feet who claim to be adversely affected start a revocation proceeding under 42-266 (42-258(h)). (9) Variances must be requested in writing at least 30 days ahead with a nonrefundable fee; occupants within 200 feet are notified by ordinary mail and given ten days to object, objections from 25 percent or more may lead to denial, economic loss does not count as hardship, and decisions may be appealed within ten business days under Chapter 3 (42-264). (10) Enforcement of the noise disturbance rules is complaint-based (42-263(b)); the enforcing departments may enter private property with the owner's permission, and the sound source may be impounded pending resolution of a violation (42-263(c)). (11) Penalty: a violation is a simple misdemeanor or a municipal infraction punishable as provided by section 1-15 (42-268); the article states no amounts. (12) Heavy vehicles of 10,000 pounds or more may not idle more than 20 minutes while standing within 150 feet of property zoned and used for residential purposes, except delivery or pickup vehicles that need the engine to load or unload (42-259(a)). (13) Stationary non-emergency bells, chimes, sirens and whistles may not sound more than one minute in any hour, except devices used with places of religious worship (42-261); church or clock carillons, bells and chimes need no sound permit (42-258(b)). (14) Repairing, rebuilding, modifying or testing a motor vehicle, motorcycle or motorboat so as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential property boundary is barred (42-256(c)).

Document it before you report it

Des Moines's limits are measured numbers, so a reading is direct evidence of how loud it really is. Take a quick reading with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser and records nothing — and check how loud your block is on the Des Moines noise map. For time-stamped measurement history you can show a landlord or code officer, the app keeps a log.