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Detroit noise ordinance: quiet hours and who to call

Detroit's noise rules are in Article I of Chapter 16 (Environment) of the Detroit City Code, §§ 16-1-1 through 16-1-24. The article came from Ordinance 02-16, effective February 3, 2016, which rewrote the old Chapter 36. It has no decibel limits. Instead it relies on what can be heard from a set distance: 50 feet for most noise and 10 feet for vehicles on public streets.

The general rule

Section 16-1-12 makes it unlawful to create or allow "any unreasonably loud or disturbing noise which annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the health, peace, safety, or welfare of others" in the city. This rule has no time limit.

Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The code defines "non-motor vehicle noise" in § 16-1-1. It is sound from a person, from any source other than a motor vehicle, that is "plainly audible within 50 feet of its source." Between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., § 16-1-13(a) bans these activities citywide when they produce that kind of noise:

• Music, whether live vocals, instruments, speakers, music players, TVs or phones
• Amplified speech through a microphone, megaphone or bullhorn
• Steam or compressed air whistles or sirens

In residential zones, and areas right next to one, § 16-1-13(b) adds two more to the same hours:

• Heavy construction equipment such as pile drivers, jackhammers and drills
• Loading and unloading vehicles or storage containers

Essential services, such as utility and road work, and emergency services are exempt (§ 16-1-14).

Car stereos

Division C covers motor vehicles on public streets only (§ 16-1-21). "Motor vehicle noise" is sound from a vehicle that is plainly audible more than 10 feet away (§ 16-1-1). It is banned at any hour (§ 16-1-22). That includes a stereo or speakers "while a motor vehicle is in motion or at rest." It also includes using a horn other than to warn of an emergency (§ 16-1-23). A vehicle on private property falls under the 50-foot rules above instead.

How to complain

The Detroit Police Department's non-emergency page lists Telephone Crime Reporting at 313-267-4600 for noise complaints. The same line takes neighbor trouble and animal complaints after the incident is over. Call 911 only for emergencies such as crimes in progress.

Penalties

A violation of the article is a misdemeanor. A court may fine up to $500, sentence up to 90 days in jail, or both, for each violation (§ 16-1-2(a)).

Car noise violations under § 16-1-23 have their own minimum fines (§ 16-1-2(b)):

• First conviction: at least $100
• Second conviction: at least $200
• Third or later conviction: at least $300, and up to 90 days in jail at the court's discretion

Barking dogs

Article I does not mention animals. We have not reviewed the animal sections of the Detroit City Code for this page.

Keeping a record

The 10 p.m. rule depends on the time and whether the music could be heard 50 feet from where it was playing. So note both when you report. The Noisy Neighbor iPhone app logs each incident with the time, length and an estimated decibel level. It exports a PDF report or complaint letter for a landlord.

Sources

• Detroit City Code Chapter 16, Environment (Article I, Noise) (Municode)
• Detroit City Code § 16-1-1, Definitions
• Detroit City Code § 16-1-2, Violations and penalties
• Detroit City Code § 16-1-12, General prohibition of noise
• Detroit City Code § 16-1-13, Specific prohibitions of activities constituting noise violations
• Detroit City Code § 16-1-23, Specific prohibitions of motor vehicle noise
• City of Detroit Police: Report Crime (non-emergency calls)

Last checked October 17, 2026. Laws change, so check the official code before you act. This is not legal advice.