Living rule book
NYC noise rules on one block at night
Each number marks a rule. Pick a number to zoom in and read the rule with its official source. Open it to read the full rule page.
- Not allowed
- Allowed
- What the rule is about
- Distance in the rule
Plain-language summaries. The official text linked with each rule is the law. Not legal advice.
All rules on this street
The same rules as the drawing, in order.
1. Music from a bar or club
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code § 24-231(a)
Music from a bar, club or other business must not measure more than 42 dB(A) inside a nearby home. Bass has its own limits: 45 dB in the low bands, and no rise of 6 dB(C) or more when the background is over 62 dB(C).
Official sources
Read the rule →2. Air conditioners and fans
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code § 24-227(a)
An air conditioner or other circulation device must not make more than 42 dB(A) inside a nearby home. It is measured with the window open, 3 ft from the window.
Official sources
Read the rule →3. Car stereos
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code § 24-233(b)(2)
Music from a car on a street, moving or parked, must not be plainly audible to a person outside the car 25 ft or more away.
Official sources
Read the rule →4. Garbage trucks at night: 80 dB(A)
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code § 24-225(b)
From 11 PM to 7 AM, a garbage truck working within 50 ft of homes must not make more than 80 dB(A) in total, measured 35 ft or more from the truck. Emergencies, such as a storm, are an exception.
Official sources
Read the rule →5. Leaf blower hours
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code § 24-242
On weekdays a leaf blower or other lawn care device must not run before 8 AM, or after 7 PM or sunset, whichever is later. On weekends and holidays it must not run before 9 AM or after 6 PM. A leaf blower must have a working muffler.
Official sources
Read the rule →6. Car alarms: 3 minutes
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code § 24-238(a)
A car alarm must shut off by itself within 3 minutes after it starts. A remote may only set it off from 15 ft away or closer.
Official sources
Read the rule →7. Building alarms: 15 minutes
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code § 24-238(a)
A burglar alarm on a building must shut off by itself within 15 minutes after it starts.
Official sources
Read the rule →8. Unreasonable noise from a party
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code § 24-218(a), (b)
No one may make unreasonable noise. For sound from a device such as a speaker, that includes sound 7 dB(A) or more above the background from 10 PM to 7 AM, or 10 dB(A) or more from 7 AM to 10 PM, measured inside a nearby home or 15 ft or more away on the street.
Official sources
Read the rule →9. Speakers that advertise to the street
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code § 24-244(b)
A business must not use a sound device to advertise or draw attention outside or in front of its building, or through a door or window, on a street.
Official sources
Open the official source →10. Construction at night
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code §§ 24-222, 24-223
Unless the noise code allows it, for example with an after-hours work authorization, construction work may only happen on weekdays from 7 AM to 6 PM. Repair of an owner-occupied one- or two-family home may also happen on weekends from 10 AM to 4 PM if it is more than 300 ft from a house of worship.
Official sources
Read the rule →
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