noise regulations
Noise limits, temporary waivers, decibel levels, and event exemptions.
What to Watch
Whether Heroes Venture Arcade submits a revised request that fits the city’s existing limit on noise-ordinance exceptions.
Coming Up
Typically discussed at City Council Special. Check back when the next agenda is published.
The Story
City Council denied Heroes Venture Arcade’s request for 10 live-music noise exceptions running from September through March. The request sought 70 decibels instead of 65, later end times, and relief from vibration rules. Council members said the number of requested exceptions exceeded the city’s existing limit.
Key Decisions
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passed 9-0 City Council · Sep 21, 2026 26-170 Request for Waiver of Noise Ordinance Regulations for Heroes Venture Arcade for Live Music Events
Motion to deny the waiver request
Tim Petri YesDoug Brandt YesBill LeClair YesShannon Derby YesMark Bittner YesDarla LeClair YesAdam Wachowski YesKatherine Dahlke Yes -
passed 7-2 City Council · Aug 3, 2026 26-145 Waiver of Noise Ordinance Request for Heroes Venture Arcade
Motion to approve request at 75 decibels until 12:00 AM per recommendation of City staff
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passed 9-0 City Council · Jul 20, 2026 26-137 Waiver of Noise Ordinance Request for The Spruce Lodge
Motion to raise the decibel level to 75dB until 10:30 PM
Mark Bittner YesAdam Wachowski YesTim Petri YesDarla LeClair YesBill LeClair YesShannon Derby YesKatherine Dahlke YesDoug Brandt Yes -
passed 8-0 City Council Special · Jul 13, 2026 26-129 Waiver of Noise Ordinance Request for Whisky D's
Motion to approve waiver of noise ordinance request for Whisky D's (maximum noise level of 75 decibels until 11:00 p.m. for each event).
Doug Brandt YesTim Petri YesKatherine Dahlke YesDarla LeClair YesMark Bittner YesShannon Derby YesBill LeClair YesAdam Wachowski Absent -
passed 5-3 City Council Special · Jul 13, 2026 26-128 Waiver of Noise Ordinance Request for Heroes Venture Arcade
Motion to approve the waiver of noise up to 75 decibels and vibrations until midnight, after which standard ordinance limits would apply.
Doug Brandt YesDarla LeClair YesMark Bittner YesShannon Derby YesBill LeClair NoTim Petri NoAdam Wachowski Absent -
passed 8-0 City Council · Nov 17, 2025 25-227 Ordinance to Amend Section 4-1-6 of the Municipal Code, Regulating Snow and Ice Removal
Motion to waive reading and adopt the ordinance (25-227 Ordinance to Amend Section 4-1-6 of the Municipal Code, Regulating Snow and Ice Removal)
Adam Wachowski YesDarla LeClair YesBill LeClair YesShannon Derby YesDoug Brandt YesMark Bittner Yes -
passed 9-0 City Council · Nov 3, 2025 25-211 Public Hearing on Request for a Conditional Use Permit for Lakeshore Humane Society located at Columbus Street, Parcel No. 053-211-102-001.09, in the Industrial District (I-2), submitted by ACE Building Service Inc (applicant) and Lakeshore Human Society (owner).
Motion to approve the request for a conditional use permit, as recommended by the Plan Commission.
Doug Brandt YesAdam Wachowski YesMark Bittner YesTim Petri YesDarla LeClair YesBill LeClair YesShannon Derby Yes -
failed 3-6 City Council · Nov 3, 2025 25-215 Ordinance to Amend Chapters 9-2 of the Municipal Code Regulating the Volume and Intensity of Noise
Motion to not amend chapters 9-2 of the Municipal Code Regulating the Volume and Intensity of Noise.
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passed 8-0 City Council Special · Oct 13, 2025 25-201 Consideration of a Request for Noise Ordinance Waiver for The Spruce Lodge LLC, 1110 30th Street, for Live Music on Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM---- Waive the Provisions of Sections 9-2-5B(2)(b) Regarding Noise Audible Within an Enclosed Structure Used for Residential Purposes and Section 9-2-5D, Pertaining to Vibration
Motion made by Petri, seconded by B. LeClair to approve the request.
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passed 6-0 City Council Special · Jul 9, 2025 25-135 Consideration of a Request for Noise Ordinance Waiver for Heroes Venture Arcade, 2022 Washington Street, for Live Music on Thursday, July 17 from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM----Waive the Provisions of Sections 9-2-5B(2)(b) Regarding Noise Audible Within an Enclosed Structure Used for Residential Purposes and Section 9-2-5D, Pertaining to Vibration
Motion made by D. LeClair, seconded by B. LeClair to approve the request for waiver of the noise ordinance with the restrictions of between the hours of 7 PM – 9 PM a limit of 80 decibels and from 9 PM – 11 PM a limit of 70 decibels.
Doug Brandt YesBill LeClair YesDarla LeClair YesTim Petri YesMark Bittner AbsentShannon Derby AbsentAdam Wachowski Absent -
passed 5-0 City Council Special · Jul 9, 2025 25-136 Consideration of a Request for Noise Ordinance Waiver for Berserkers, 1811 19th Street, for Live Music on Sunday July 20, 2025 from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM--Waive the Provisions of Sections 9-2-5B(2)(b) Regarding Noise Audible Within an Enclosed Structure Used for Residential Purposes and Section 9-2-5D, Pertaining to Vibration
Motion made by Brandt, seconded by B. LeClair to approve the request for a waiver of the noise ordinance.
Bill LeClair YesDarla LeClair YesTim Petri AbstainMark Bittner AbsentShannon Derby AbsentAdam Wachowski AbsentDoug Brandt Yes
Record
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City Council approved a noise waiver for Heroes Venture Arcade’s Aug. 22 live music and electronic dance music event, allowing 75 decibels until midnight. The vote was 7-2.
City Council -
City Council approved a noise exception for The Spruce Lodge’s Aug. 7 live-music event, allowing sound up to 75 decibels until 10:30 p.m. The vote was 9-0.
City Council -
City Council unanimously denied Heroes Venture Arcade’s request for 10 live-music noise exceptions between September 2026 and March 2027. The request sought events ending at 11 p.m. or midnight, a 70-decibel limit instead of 65 decibels, and a waiver of vibration rules. Bittner moved to deny the request and B. LeClair seconded; Petri, Dahlke, Stechmesser, Wachowski, D. LeClair, Bittner, Derby, B. LeClair and Brandt voted yes.
City Council -
During the council discussion, members said the city had already set a limit on noise-ordinance exceptions and that approving the requested number would weaken the ordinance.
City Council