Wichita noise ordinance: quiet hours and who to call

When are quiet hours in Wichita?

Quiet hours: Home limits: 55 dB(A) from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 50 dB(A) from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., measured 25 feet from the property line. Construction: only from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Right now: Checking the clock for Wichita.
Who to call: Wichita Police case desk: 316-268-4221. Patrol substations, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays: North 316-350-3400, South 316-350-3440, East 316-350-3420, West 316-350-3460. Emergencies: 911.
When you can call: Patrol substations are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The page does not state hours for the case desk at 316-268-4221.
The law: Wichita City Code Chapter 5.63, Noise (§§ 5.63.010 to 5.63.090), and § 6.04.040(f)(5) for animals. Read the code

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We checked this against the city's code and website on November 9, 2026.

Wichita rewrote its noise law in 2025. Ordinance 52-810, passed on September 16, 2025, repealed the old Chapter 7.41 and replaced it with Chapter 5.63, "Noise." The new chapter has a general rule against loud noise and a decibel table by zone and time of day.

What is too loud in Wichita?

The general rule is § 5.63.010(a). It bars loud, unnecessary or unusual noise that disturbs others. Section 5.63.010(b) then lists examples, including:

radios, stereos, instruments and similar devices played so they disturb a person of reasonable sensibilities (§ 5.63.010(b)(1))
a party or gathering that makes this kind of noise. Police may order the crowd to break up, and the people living there must cooperate (§ 5.63.010(b)(8))

Section 5.63.030 sets the limits in decibels, measured 25 feet from the property line of the source (§ 5.63.020):

Zone	8 a.m. to 10 p.m.	10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Residential	55 dB(A)	50 dB(A)
Commercial	60 dB(A)	55 dB(A)
Light industrial	70 dB(A)	65 dB(A)
Industrial	80 dB(A)	75 dB(A)
Parks	60 dB(A)	55 dB(A)

Noise that is more than 5 dB(A) over the background level also counts as too loud. A person charged under § 5.63.010 can argue the sound stayed under these limits, but has to prove it and give that evidence to the City Attorney at least 7 days before trial (§ 5.63.010(c)).

Barking dogs

No one may keep an animal that, by loud, frequent or habitual barking, howling or yelping, "unreasonably interferes with the use or enjoyment of property" of a person of reasonable sensibilities nearby (§ 6.04.040(f)(5)). The Sedgwick County non-emergency page lists Wichita Animal Control at 316-350-3360.

Construction and yard work

Construction is allowed only from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Emergency work outside those hours needs a permit from the Director of Public Works (§ 5.63.010(b)(6)). Lawn care, repair work on a person's own car and home repairs are exempt from the chapter in the daytime (§ 5.63.040).

How do I report noise in Wichita?

The city's How to Report page lists the police case desk at 316-268-4221 for reports that don't need an officer to come out, such as disorderly conduct. It also lists the four patrol substations, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays:

North: 316-350-3400
South: 316-350-3440
East: 316-350-3420
West: 316-350-3460

For an emergency, call 911.

Fines and penalties

A violation of Chapter 5.63 is a misdemeanor. The penalty is a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Each day a violation goes on is a separate offense (§ 5.63.090).

Keeping a noise log

Wichita uses a decibel limit and also lets a defendant argue the noise stayed under it, so a dated record helps. 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.

Wichita noise FAQ

What are the quiet hours in Wichita?

Home limits: 55 dB(A) from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 50 dB(A) from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., measured 25 feet from the property line. Construction: only from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Who do I call about a noisy neighbor in Wichita?

Wichita Police case desk: 316-268-4221. Patrol substations, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays: North 316-350-3400, South 316-350-3440, East 316-350-3420, West 316-350-3460. Emergencies: 911.

Where are Wichita's noise rules?

Wichita City Code Chapter 5.63, Noise (§§ 5.63.010 to 5.63.090), and § 6.04.040(f)(5) for animals. There is a link to the official code at the top and bottom of this page.

What are the quiet hours in Wichita?

From 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., noise from a home can't go over 50 dB(A), measured 25 feet from the property line. In the daytime the limit is 55 dB(A) (§ 5.63.030).

What is the fine for a noise violation in Wichita?

Up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Each day is a separate offense (§ 5.63.090).

Sources

Last checked November 9, 2026. Laws change, so check the official code before you act. This is not legal advice.