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Aurora, Colorado noise ordinance: quiet hours and who to call

Aurora, Colorado has noise rules in two places. Section 94-107 of the City Code bans unreasonably loud noise. Section 146-4.11.2(E) of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) sets decibel limits. The code says the two are cumulative, so both apply (§ 94-107(e)). The barking dog rule is § 14-72.

What is too loud in Aurora?

It is unlawful to make or continue "any unreasonably loud or unusual noise which seriously inconveniences other persons in the area." A police officer may make a first judgment, called a prima facie determination, on whether the noise is a public nuisance (§ 94-107(a)). It is also unlawful to let someone else do this on property you own or control when you could stop it (§ 94-107(c)).

The UDO sets the most sound allowed at the property line of a neighboring property (§ 146-4.11.2(E)(2), Table 4.11-1):

• Next to a residential property: 55 dBA from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 45 dBA from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Next to a commercial or mixed-use property: 60 dBA by day, 55 dBA at night

Stereos, TVs, instruments and speakers must stay within these limits. Shrill, banging or other on-and-off sounds must stay 5 dBA below the daytime limit (§ 146-4.11.2(E)(1)(e)). Loudspeakers and public address systems can't disturb a residential property from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. unless there is a temporary permit (§ 146-4.11.2(E)(1)(c)). A car stereo can't be plainly heard 25 feet from the car (§ 94-109(a)).

Barking dogs

It is unlawful to keep a dog whose "frequent, habitual, or continued barking, yelping, or howling" annoys or inconveniences the neighbors (§ 14-72). There is a witness rule: no summons or conviction can happen unless at least two complaining witnesses from separate households sign a complaint form. The form gives the date and time and says how the barking bothered them. The witnesses must be willing to testify at trial. An animal protection officer reviews the forms.

The City's barking dog page says to call Animal Services at 303.326.8288 or use Access Aurora. It says a written warning is sent first. If the barking doesn't improve, officers issue a court summons, and the owner and witnesses go to court.

Construction and yard work

Construction gets higher decibel limits during the day. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. it is held to the I-2 (heavy industrial) limit of 80 dBA. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. it is held to the I-1 limit of 70 dBA. From 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. it must meet the limits for the neighboring land use, which is 45 dBA next to homes (§ 146-4.11.2(E), Table 4.11-1, note 1). The code doesn't ban construction at set hours. Neither section sets hours for lawn mowers or leaf blowers.

How do I report noise in Aurora?

The City's police phone page lists the Aurora911 dispatch line for non-emergency calls as 303.627.3100 and Access Aurora as 303.739.7000. For barking dogs, call Animal Services at 303.326.8288. For an emergency, call 911.

Fines and penalties

Sections 94-107 and 14-72 set no penalty of their own, so § 1-13 applies: a fine of up to $2,650, up to 364 days in jail, or both. Each day an offense continues is a separate offense (§ 1-13(a)).

Keeping a noise log

Aurora's barking rule needs two households to sign, so a shared log with dates and times helps both witnesses. The Noisy Neighbor iPhone app logs each incident with the date, time, length and an estimated decibel level. It exports a PDF report. Phone readings are estimates.

Sources

• Aurora City Code § 94-107, Unnecessary noise; disturbing the peace
• Aurora Unified Development Ordinance § 146-4.11.2, Operating standards (E. Noise)
• Aurora City Code § 14-72, Keeping barking dogs
• Aurora City Code § 1-13, General penalty
• City of Aurora: Barking dogs
• City of Aurora: Important phone numbers (police)

Last checked November 2, 2026. Laws change, so check the official code before you act. This is not legal advice.