There are many communities around the Twin Cities and beyond in Minnesota, which means the noise ordinances can vary from place to place, even if those communities are right next to each other.

Yes, there are ordinances that say a generator can’t exceed a certain number of decibels. One community may say that the decibels can’t exceed 62, while another may say they can’t exceed 60. The measurement on this is typically 25 feet from the generator. In cases where a neighbor may be closer than 25 feet, the decibels are going to be higher and that may mean uncomfortable noise to them during a power outage when most everything is quiet.

Fortunately, there are ways in which you can get past the regulations for generators.

When working with a local generator installer, you work with someone who has knowledge of the ordinances and who can present you with generators that are compliant. Depending on the brand and the type, there are different noise levels that are produced. Of course, you want your generator to be as quiet as possible for the price point that you want to pay.

If you are in a rural area, the amount of noise most likely won’t matter and that is going to give you your pick of any permanent standby generator. It’s when you are in a city that you will need to ensure your generator is a compliant one so that the neighbors aren’t disturbed. Plus, having a quieter generator can be good for you as well in that you won’t have to deal with the noise.

When considering noise, there is also the fact that many building codes require a generator to be five feet from a house opening and 5 feet from any flammable materials. This is going to encroach on the standard 25 feet when considering the number of decibels. The good news is that your installer knows this and can use the measurements to determine which generator is going to be the best fit.