Sound in the City
Help shape Fort Collins' Noise Ordinance!
The City of Fort Collins is reviewing its Noise Ordinance and would like the community’s input. Our Noise Ordinance helps set expectations around sound levels in different parts of the city—from residential neighborhoods to commercial zones—and outlines quiet hours and exceptions for common sources of noise like lawn care, construction and community events.
As Fort Collins continues to grow and evolve, we’re taking a fresh look at how noise affects your quality of life. Whether it's loud music, vehicle noise, construction, or barking dogs, we want to understand your experiences and gather feedback to guide future updates to the ordinance.
The Sound in the City survey was available for the community to share feedback about how we manage noise in a way that balances vibrancy and livability, from June-September 2025. That survey is now closed; our teams are compiling community feedback and preparing for next steps.
Subscribe for updates
Feedback from the survey will be used to inform City staff and City Council as updates are made to the City’s Noise Ordinance. To receive updates as this project progresses, tap or click the subscribe button on this webpage.
City of Fort Collins Noise Ordinance: At-a-Glance
The City of Fort Collins regulates noise to protect public health, safety and quality of life.
The Noise Ordinance prevents sounds that are too loud for your area or time of day. If the noise would bother a reasonable person, put someone’s safety at risk or damage property, it may also be against the rules—even if it’s not very loud. The City measures noise with special meters using set guidelines. Some loud sounds are allowed, like emergency work or activities with special City permission. Trained City staff are in charge of enforcing the rules.
Here’s a summary of the Noise Ordinance rules:
💤 Quiet Hours:
- Residential areas: Keep noise at 55 dB(A) or below from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., and under 50 dB(A) from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Commercial areas: Limit is 60 dB(A) during the day, 55 dB(A) at night
- Industrial/employment zones: Higher limits apply (up to 80 dB(A) by day)
🔊 What counts as a noise disturbance?
Any sound that:
Harms health or safety
Would bother a reasonable person
Puts property at risk
📏 How noise is measured:
Measured using a sound level meter
Taken from 25 feet away (or at the edge of the nearest property)
Not taken during high winds
🔧 Common Exceptions:
The following sounds are allowed, even if they exceed noise limits:
Lawn tools and domestic power tools (7 a.m.-8 p.m.)
Construction and demolition work (7 a.m.-8 p.m.)
Snow removal equipment
Church bells, emergency vehicles, aircraft, and city operations
Agricultural and golf course maintenance equipment
🏘️ In apartment buildings:
Noise between units follows the same limits as the surrounding zoning district.
🌐 Outside City Limits:
If excessive noise originates from outside Fort Collins but affects residents inside city limits, the City may still act—especially if the County doesn’t.
