Exemption.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 80-67
in effect80-67. Exemption.
1. CONSTRUCTION SITES, PUBLIC UTILITIES, PUBLIC WORKS. The daytime criteria, as set forth in s. 80-64-1, shall not apply to construction sites, public utilities and public works projects and operations during the daytime hours from Monday through Saturday, inclusive; provided, however, that noise production shall be minimized through proper equipment operation and maintenance. Stationary equipment construction projects lasting more than 10 days within residential districts shall be shielded or located so as not to cause unnecessary noise.
2. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS. Emergency short-term operations which are necessary to protect the health and welfare of the citizens - such as emergency utility and street repair, fallen tree removal or emergency fuel oil delivery - shall be exempt from the criteria as set forth in s. 80-64-1, provided that reasonable steps shall be taken by those in charge of such operation to minimize noise emanating from the same.
3. NOISES REQUIRED BY LAW. The provisions of s. 80-64-1 shall not apply to any noise required specifically by law for the protection or safety of people or property.
4. LAWN MOWERS, GARDEN TOOLS, ETC. Powered equipment such as lawn mowers, small lawn and garden tools, riding tractors and snow removal equipment which is necessary for the maintenance of property, is kept in good repair and maintenance, and which equipment, when new, would not comply with the standards set forth in this subchapter, shall be exempted from the provisions of s. 80-64-1. No person shall operate such equipment, with the exception of snow removal equipment, during the hours of 9 p.m. through 8 a.m., inclusive.
5. RESIDENTIAL AIR CONDITIONERS. Noise emitted by residential air conditioners shall be judged by the criteria set forth in s. 80-68.
7. AIRPLANES. Aircraft operations which are controlled specifically by federal law and enforcement shall be exempted from the provisions of this subchapter.
8. BELLS, CHIMES. Bells, chimes and similar devices which signal the time of day and operate during the daytime hours for a duration of no longer than 5 minutes in any given one hour period shall be exempt from the daytime noise limitations of s. 80-64-1.
9. TRASH COMPACTING AND COLLECTION. Trash compacting and collection is exempt from the provisions of s. 80-64-1. However, no person shall operate any trash compacting mechanism on any motor vehicle or on any premises, nor shall any person engage in any trash, rubbish or garbage collection activity between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., when such compacting or collection activity takes place on or in connection with any premises that is within 200 feet of a residential premises. City sanitation operations involving solid waste and recycling material are exempt from this provision.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH80.pdf#page=25Fetched: 10/26/2026