Minneapolis noise rules at a glance
- Governing code: Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, Chapter 389 (Noise)
- Quiet hours: 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM for most activities
- How violations are judged: Mixed standard
- Construction: Contractor work weekdays 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM; homeowner work weekdays 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM and weekends 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Complaints: 311
How Minneapolis decides what counts as too loud
Minneapolis incorporates the Minnesota state noise standards for general limits and adds its own rules for construction equipment and hours.
Noise limits in Minneapolis
| Applies to | Daytime | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and demolition equipment | 90 dB measured at 50 ft or more from the source | Operation restricted outside permitted hours |
| General noise | Referenced to Minnesota Rules Chapter 7030 | Referenced to Minnesota Rules Chapter 7030 |
What's specific to Minneapolis
- Because general limits come from state rules rather than the city code, you may need to read both documents.
- Homeowners doing their own work get a wider permitted window than contractors.
What Minneapolis residents most often report
- Construction and demolition equipment, the part of the code with the clearest numeric test.
- Contractor work outside the 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM weekday window.
- Bar and patio noise, which interacts with licensing as well as the noise chapter.
How to measure it in Minneapolis
Minneapolis points to Minnesota Rules Chapter 7030 for general limits, so you may need both documents to know your number. The city's own clear figure is for construction equipment: 90 dB measured at 50 ft or more. Pace out that distance rather than measuring at the fence line, or your reading will not correspond to the standard.
Record levels with the free online decibel meter, and log the date, start time and duration with each reading. A phone microphone is accurate to roughly ±2 dB and is not a calibrated instrument — enough to establish a pattern, not enough for an enforcement hearing.
Penalties in Minneapolis
Fines up to $1,000, with potential jail exposure or loss of a rental licence for persistent violations.
How to file a noise complaint in Minneapolis
Minneapolis 311 for ongoing noise and construction complaints; police non-emergency for parties.
Sources
Municipal codes are amended regularly and enforcement practice varies by neighbourhood and agency. This page summarises the code as of 2026-08-02 and is not legal advice — confirm against the linked code before relying on any figure, and consult a lawyer for a dispute.
Noise ordinances in other metros
See all US metro noise ordinances or read how many decibels is too loud.