Noise Ordinance in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Noise in Cedar Rapids is regulated by Cedar Rapids Municipal Code, Chapter 56 (Motor Vehicle Noise and Noise Limits from Certain Sound Sources), §§ 56.01–56.03; see also § 62.01 (Disturbing the Peace), § 62.05 (Bells and Sound Amplifiers), § 23.06 (Animal Noise), § 1.06 (Penalties). Quiet hours are varies by activity; night rules typically 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM. This page summarizes what the ordinance actually says, section by section, with links to the official code text.
What the Cedar Rapids Noise Ordinance Says
Cedar Rapids regulates noise primarily through Chapter 56 of its Municipal Code, "Motor Vehicle Noise and Noise Limits from Certain Sound Sources." The core concept is a "noise disturbance" — sound crossing a property line that exceeds the limits in Table 1: 60 dBA at a residence during the day (7 a.m.–10 p.m.), dropping to 50 dBA overnight (10 p.m.–7 a.m.), with flat limits of 65 dBA for commercial and 75 dBA for industrial receiving properties at all times. Measurements are taken with a sound level meter at the receiving property's boundary, 4 feet above the ground. Specific sources are restricted: amplified sound from a vehicle may not exceed 86 dBA at 25 feet, car stereos audible 50+ feet away that disturb a reasonable person are prohibited, vehicle exhaust noise has dBA caps (80–94 depending on vehicle weight and speed), and lawn mowers, chain saws, and garbage trucks may not create a noise disturbance between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Separately, § 62.01 (Disturbing the Peace) prohibits "loud and raucous noise" near any residence or hospital that causes unreasonable distress to occupants — a subjective standard that applies regardless of decibel level — and § 62.05 requires a Council permit to use bells or sound amplifiers for advertising. Animal noise is covered by § 23.06: an animal that disturbs the peace more than 15 minutes in any hour, documented in three or more episodes over seven days, is a violation, and the animal can be impounded after two written warnings in a calendar year.
Enforcement under § 56.03 is complaint-driven — a disturbed person files a complaint with city officials — but police may act without a complaint if they judge the evidence sufficient. Cedar Rapids has no noise-specific penalty section, so the standard penalty in § 1.06 applies: a fine of $65–$625, with up to 30 days imprisonment possible, and each day counts as a separate offense; the city may also pursue violations as civil municipal infractions under Iowa Code § 364.22 (§ 1.12). Notable exemptions include emergency and government vehicles, church bells and carillons, permitted parades, sanctioned racing events, and city-arranged McGrath Amphitheatre events (May–October), which are exempt until 11:30 p.m.
"No person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device on a motor vehicle on a public highway." — § 56.02(b)
Quiet Hours in Detail
No blanket citywide quiet hours, but 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM functions as the nighttime window: the residential sound-level limit drops from 60 to 50 dBA (§ 56.01 Table 1), and power lawn mowers/trimmers (§ 56.02(g)), power chain saws (§ 56.02(h)), and solid waste collection/hauling equipment (§ 56.02(i)) may not be operated in that window if they create a noise disturbance.
Decibel Limits
Table 1, § 56.01(q) — maximum permissible sound levels, measured per § 56.02(d) with a sound level meter at the receiving property boundary, 4 ft above ground: Residence District 60 dBA (7 a.m.–10 p.m.) / 50 dBA (10 p.m.–7 a.m.); Commercial District 65 dBA at all times; Industrial District 75 dBA at all times. Vehicle-specific: 86 dBA max at 25 ft for amplified sound from a device operated on a motor vehicle (§ 56.02(a)); exhaust noise measured at least 25 ft from the nearest lane is "excessive" at 80 dBA (≤35 mph) / 84 dBA (>35 mph) for ordinary vehicles, 90/94 dBA for vehicles rated 10,000 lbs or more (§ 56.02(c)).
Enforcement and Penalties
Complaint-based under § 56.03: enforced upon a complaint filed with city officials by a person disturbed, though peace officers may enforce without a complaint if sufficient evidence exists in their judgment. Standard penalty under § 1.06: fine of $65 to $625 upon conviction, and the court may add or substitute up to 30 days imprisonment; each day a violation continues is a separate offense. Under § 1.12, ordinance violations may alternatively be pursued as municipal infractions (civil penalties) under Iowa Code § 364.22.
Exemptions
§ 56.02(f): church/clock carillons, bells or chimes; permitted parades or processions; mobile radio or telephone signal devices; and sanctioned racing events. § 56.02(j): governmental fire department equipment and devices used by emergency vehicles or government officials for authorized public purposes are exempt from the entire chapter. §§ 56.02(f) and 62.01(d): city-arranged events at McGrath Amphitheatre (May 1–Oct 31) are not violations until after 11:30 p.m. § 56.02(e): guide dogs for the blind and deaf exempt from animal-noise provision. § 23.06(c): farm animals in permitted zones, commercial pet/veterinary facilities, and noise caused by injury/illness or trespass/torment.
Key Sections of the Code
| Section | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| § 56.01 | Definitions (decibel, dBA, noise disturbance, districts) and Table 1 maximum permissible sound levels by receiving land use: residential 60/50 dBA day/night, commercial 65, industrial 75 |
| § 56.02(a) | 86 dBA limit at 25 ft for radios/TVs/instruments/amplified sound operated on a motor vehicle |
| § 56.02(b)-(c) | Muffler cutouts prohibited; exhaust system required; exhaust noise dBA thresholds (80/84 dBA ordinary vehicles, 90/94 dBA for 10,000+ lb vehicles, by speed) |
| § 56.02(d) | Measurement method: sound level meter at receiving property boundary, 4 ft above ground |
| § 56.02(e) | Animals and birds emitting noise-disturbance sounds prohibited (guide dogs excepted) |
| § 56.02(f) | Radios, televisions, phonographs, instruments, amplifiers creating a noise disturbance; exceptions for carillons/bells, permitted parades, signal devices, sanctioned racing, McGrath Amphitheatre until 11:30 p.m. |
| § 56.02(g)-(i) | Lawn mowing equipment, chain saws, and solid waste collection/hauling equipment prohibited 10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. if creating a noise disturbance |
| § 56.02(j) | Exemption for fire department, emergency vehicles, and governmental devices for authorized public purposes |
| § 56.02(k) | Vehicle sound systems audible 50+ feet away that disturb a reasonable person of normal sensitivities prohibited |
| § 56.03 | Enforcement: complaint-based; peace officers may enforce without a complaint on sufficient evidence |
| § 62.01 | Disturbing the peace: loud and raucous noise near residences or hospitals causing unreasonable distress; McGrath Amphitheatre exemption until 11:30 p.m. |
| § 62.05 | Bells and sound amplifiers for advertising require a Council permit |
| § 23.06 | Animal noise: 15+ minutes per hour, 3+ documented episodes in 7 days; impoundment after two written warnings in a calendar year |
| § 1.06 | Standard penalty: $65–$625 fine, up to 30 days imprisonment, each day a separate offense |
| § 1.12 | Municipal infractions: violations may be prosecuted civilly under Iowa Code § 364.22 |
Official Source
This summary is based on the official municipal code text. Always confirm current rules with the city before relying on them — ordinances are amended regularly.
- Cedar Rapids Municipal Code, Chapter 56 (Motor Vehicle Noise and Noise Limits from Certain Sound Sources), §§ 56.01–56.03; see also § 62.01 (Disturbing the Peace), § 62.05 (Bells and Sound Amplifiers), § 23.06 (Animal Noise), § 1.06 (Penalties) — official code text (Municode)
- Iowa statewide noise ordinance guide
Last verified against the official code: 2026-07-08.
This page is an informational summary, not legal advice. For disputes or citations, consult the full code text or a local attorney.