Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 8, ch. 8-32, pt. C — OTHER LIMITATIONS ON NOISE AND VIBRATIONS (8-32-150 et seq.) | Municipal Code of Chicago (2026 S-74, current through Council Journal of June 17, 2026) — City of Chicago

Municipal Code of Chicago § 8-32-150 Limitations on noise not otherwise addressed.

8-32-150 Limitations on noise not otherwise addressed. For any noise source not specifically addressed in Part B of this chapter, except where exempted or excluded by section 8-32-170, the following general limitations shall apply: (a) Between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., no person shall generate any noise on the public way that is louder than average conversational level at a distance of 100 feet or more, vertically or horizontally, from the source. (b) Between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., no person shall generate any noise on any private open space that is louder than average conversational level at a distance of 100 feet or more, measured from the property line of the property from which the noise is being generated. (Added Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 13798, Art. II, § 5)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 8-32-160 Limitations on earthshaking vibrations.

8-32-160 Limitations on earthshaking vibrations. (a) In M2 general manufacturing districts and M3 heavy manufacturing districts, any property use creating intense earthshaking vibrations shall be set back at least 300 feet from the boundary of a residence, business or commercial district and at least 150 feet from the boundary of an M1 restricted manufacturing district; provided that, there shall be no violation if the property use does not transmit beyond the lot lines any earthshaking vibrations which are perceptible without the aid of instruments. (b) In all other districts, any property use creating earthshaking vibrations must be controlled in such manner as to prevent transmission beyond the lot line of earthshaking vibrations perceptible without the aid of instruments; provided that, this limitation does not apply where the affected adjoining property is zoned M3 (heavy manufacturing). (c) In all zoning districts earthshaking vibrations that create a nuisance or hazard beyond the lot lines of the source are prohibited. (Added Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 13798, Art. II, § 5)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 8-32-170 Exceptions and exclusions.

8-32-170 Exceptions and exclusions. (a) Aircraft and airports. The limits set forth in this chapter do not apply to sounds or vibrations generated by any aircraft or generated in connection with the operation of any airport. (b) Stadiums. The limits set forth in this chapter do not apply to sounds generated at any stadium. (c) Mass transit. The limits set forth in this chapter do not apply to sounds or vibrations generated in the operation of any mass transit system. (d) Special events and public performances. (1) The limits set forth in this chapter do not apply between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. to a person participating in: (1) a public assembly, as that term is defined in Section 10-8-334; or (2) a parade, athletic event or outdoor special event, as defined in section 10-8-330, 10-8-332 or 10-8-335 of this Code; provided that a permit has been issued, if required, and the person is in compliance with the permit. (2) The limits set forth in this chapter do not apply to any public performance: (A) conducted in accordance with the provisions of a special permit (not including a permit issued under Section 4-244-161 of this Code) granted by the city for the conduct of a public performance; or (B) authorized or conducted by another public entity on public land. (3) The limits set forth in this chapter do not apply to any fireworks display conducted in accordance with the provisions of a fireworks permit issued under section 15-4-550 of this Code. (e) Emergency or civic construction, demolition or repair work. The limits set forth in this chapter do not apply to sounds generated in construction, demolition or repair work of an emergency nature or in work on public improvements authorized by a governmental body or agency. (f) Earthshaking vibrations – Construction, demolition or repair work. The earthshaking vibration limits set forth in section 8-32-160 of this chapter do not apply to construction, demolition or repair work conducted after 8:00 a.m. and before 8:00 p.m. (g) Human voices. The limits set forth in this chapter do not apply to noise created by unamplified human voices. (h) Manufacturing districts. The limits set forth in this chapter do not apply to sounds measured within any manufacturing district. This paragraph does not exclude sounds generated within any manufacturing district that are measured outside the boundary of the manufacturing district. (i) Planned manufacturing districts. The limits set forth in this chapter do not apply to sounds or vibrations measured within the Stockyards Planned Manufacturing District (PMD 8). The exception provided for in this paragraph also exempts sounds or vibrations measured outside the boundary of PMD 8 if the properties in which such sounds or vibrations are or may be measured were located within an Industrial Corridor (as defined in Section 17-17-0274) as of May 1, 2014 and were not improved with dwelling units as of May 1, 2014. (Added Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 13798, Art. II, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19230, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-6-12, p. 28356, § 14; Amend Coun. J. 5-28-14, p. 81739, § 1)