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Quiet Hours & Noise Rules in Columbus, Ohio
Confirm quiet hours, decibel limits, construction schedules, and reporting steps so you can keep the peace in your neighbourhood.
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Default quiet hours: 22:00-07:00 (nighttime; lower residential limits apply)
Weekends/holidays: 22:00-07:00
Construction weekdays: No fixed hours citywide; sources must meet the Table I limits. Property-maintenance activities on residential property are expressly allowed 07:00-22:00 (Section 2329.11(D)(1)(e)).
Construction weekends: Same as weekdays; permitted special events or works may be exempted by license or variance.
Columbus regulates community noise by receiving-property land use and time of day. For residential receivers the limits are typically no more than 65 dBA (07:00-22:00) and no more than 60 dBA (22:00-07:00), and amplified sound that is plainly audible beyond specified distances is prohibited. See C.C.C. Section 2329.11.
Residential quiet hours
22:00-07:00 (nighttime; lower residential limits apply)
Weekends & holidays: 22:00-07:00
Decibel limits
65 dBA daytime / 60 dBA night
Measured inside receiving residence.
Construction hours
No fixed hours citywide; sources must meet the Table I limits. Property-maintenance activities on residential property are expressly allowed 07:00-22:00 (Section 2329.11(D)(1)(e)).
Weekends: Same as weekdays; permitted special events or works may be exempted by license or variance.
Lawn equipment
Residential property-maintenance noise allowed 07:00-22:00 (Section 2329.11(D)(1)(e)); otherwise subject to the land-use dBA limits.
Includes gas-powered blowers, mowers, trimmers.
Party & music rules
From residential property: prohibited if amplified sound is audible 50 ft beyond the property line; in multi-unit or adjoining residential situations: prohibited if audible 25 ft within the structure or onto the adjoining residential property; from non-residential to residential during 22:00-07:00: prohibited if audible at the residential property line 100 ft beyond the source property line (Section 2329.11(C)(2)(a-c)).
Typical fines
Unreasonably loud or prohibited sound is a minor misdemeanor (escalates to a fourth-degree misdemeanor upon persistence). For non-residential property owners, a civil infraction schedule applies: $500 first, $1,000 second, $5,000 third or more within one year (Sections 2329.11(I) and 2329.11(K)).
First offense: ~$500 (varies by case)
Noise enforcement & reporting
Call or report via 311 (Department of Neighborhoods) for routine complaints; Police non-emergency for active disturbances.. Provide dates, times, and source details so dispatchers can prioritise the call. Anonymous complaints are accepted but detailed contact information helps with follow-up.
- Document the issue (record short clips, note times, and track duration for at least two nights if possible).
- Share a polite note with the neighbour or property manager. See the message templates below.
- Submit a complaint via https://www.columbus.gov/311-Customer-Service-Center or call 311 (Department of Neighborhoods) for routine complaints; Police non-emergency for active disturbances.. Ask for the incident number for reference.
- If the noise continues, follow up with enforcement referencing the incident number. Keep your documentation for any tribunal or landlord board filings.
Ready-to-send messages
Neighbour note
Hi neighbor - Columbus limits residential sound after 10 p.m. and bans amplified music that is audible 50 ft beyond a property line. Last night around {{time}} it was clearly carrying. Could you keep it down during 10 p.m.-7 a.m.? Thanks for understanding.
Landlord / property manager
Hello, we are experiencing noise that appears to exceed Columbus Code Section 2329.11 (for example, audible more than 50 ft or over the residential limits at night). Could you contact the tenant to resolve this? I have logged dates and times and can share a 311 case number if helpful.
Always confirm with the latest official notices or municipal postings before making plans.
Official bylaw source
Source: Columbus City Code Section 2329.11 - Noise (Ord. 0648-2020)
This summary reflects updates verified on . Always confirm with the latest municipal notices before acting.
Tips for quieter living
- When reporting, note whether you are the receiving property and identify the time window (day versus night); limits change at 22:00.
- Distance-based rules for amplified sound (50 ft, 25 ft, 100 ft) are strict liability - include where you stood when you heard it.
- For yard work, reference Section 2329.11(D)(1)(e): residential maintenance is allowed 07:00-22:00.
- Attach brief video or audio clips and log dates and times; submit via 311 and keep the service request number for follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
Answers are summarized from the city bylaw for quick reference. For the full context, follow the official links below.