Brick's Noise Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In Brick, New Jersey, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Vehicle Noise

Brick Township caps motor vehicle noise on public roads at 82 dB(A) where the speed limit is 35 mph or less, rising to 88 dB(A) above that, measured 50 feet from the travel lane under the Township noise ordinance.

Key details: Standard vehicle limit: 82 dB(A) under 35 mph, 88 over. Motorcycle limit: 88 dB(A) under 35 mph, 92 over. Measurement point: 50 feet from traffic lane center line. Stereo curfew: Audible 50 ft away banned 11pm-7am. Max civil penalty: $3,000 per offense, per day.

Civil penalty up to $3,000 per offense under § 281-13, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense; enforceable by the Police Department under § 281-6.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Exterior loudspeakers and amplified sound equipment in Brick Township can't be plainly audible beyond the property line between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., and stationary sound sources also face fixed decibel caps by zoning district under the Township's noise ordinance.

Key details: Quiet hours: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.. Standard: Not plainly audible beyond property line. Residential cap: 50-55 dB(A) by zone. Enforcement: Township of Brick Police Department. Penalty: Up to $3,000 civil fine per offense.

Exterior loudspeakers or amplified sound audible beyond your property line between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., or stationary sources exceeding the § 281-9 zone decibel caps, draw a police summons and a civil penalty up to $3,000 per offense.

Decibel Limits

Brick Township caps stationary noise at 75 dB(A) in the M-1 Light Industrial zone and 65 dB(A) in business/professional zones, measured at the property line at all times.

Key details: M-1 Light Industrial limit: 75 dB(A), at all times. Business/professional zones limit: 65 dB(A), at all times. Measurement point: Property boundary. Max civil penalty: $3,000 per offense.

Civil penalty up to $3,000 per offense (§ 281-13); each day of continuing violation is a separate offense. Abatable by restraining order or injunction under § 281-14.

Construction Hours

Brick Township bars noisy construction equipment between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, from Saturday 6:00 p.m. through Monday 7:00 a.m., and on legal holidays under its noise ordinance.

Key details: Permitted hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Weekend bar: Barred Sat 6 p.m. to Mon 7 a.m.. Holidays: Barred on all legal holidays. Penalty: Up to $3,000 civil penalty per offense. Waiver: Township Council may waive by resolution.

Violating the noise chapter carries a civil penalty of up to $3,000 per offense under § 281-13, with each day of continued violation a separate punishable offense.

Quiet Hours

Brick Township bars plainly audible radios, TVs, stereos and similar sound devices between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., whether heard across a property line, through a shared wall, or from a parked vehicle or motorboat.

Key details: Quiet hours: 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Standard: plainly audible across property line. Covers: radios, TVs, stereos, exterior speakers. Enforced by: Brick Township Police Department. Citation: Brick Township Code § 281-7B(2)(b).

A violation is summons-eligible on the spot; for non-vehicle sources police may instead issue a 24-hour written notice to abate, and ignoring that notice is itself a separate violation under § 281-5.

Barking Dogs

Brick Township bans keeping any animal whose frequent or habitual barking, howling or other noisemaking causes a noise disturbance, enforced by the Police Department under the township noise ordinance.

Key details: Governing standard: Frequent/habitual barking causing a noise disturbance. Enforcing agency: Brick Township Police Department. Maximum civil penalty: $3,000 per offense. Pre-summons option: 24-hour written notice to abate. Also covers: Animal pounds and holding facilities.

Civil penalty up to $3,000 per offense under N.J.S.A. 13:1G-14 (§ 281-13); each day of continued violation is a separate offense, and police may first issue a 24-hour written notice to abate.

The Bottom Line

Brick's noise ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Brick is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Brick can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.