How Englewood Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Englewood maintains 74 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with noise ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Englewood falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Barking Dogs

Englewood prohibits animal noise audible beyond the owner's property for 10 minutes continuous or 30 minutes intermittent, with complaints handled by the Department of Health.

Key details: Continuous threshold: 10 minutes minimum. Intermittent threshold: 30 minutes minimum. Day complaints: Health Dept (201) 568-3450. After-hours complaints: Police (201) 568-2711.

Continuous animal noise lasting 10+ minutes audible beyond property line; intermittent noise lasting 30+ minutes; failure to control nuisance animal.

Industrial Noise

Englewood Chapter 286 caps impulsive industrial sound at 80 decibels at the receiving property line and treats repeated impulses as continuous sound subject to Tables I and II.

Key details: Impulse cap: Below 80 dB at property line. Repeated impulse rule: 4+/hour treated as continuous. Measurement standard: N.J.A.C. 7:29. Limits located in: Tables I and II.

Impulsive sound at or above 80 dB at the property line; exceeding continuous sound table limits; repeated impulses untreated as continuous noise.

Leaf Blower Rules

Nonresidential landscaping operators in Englewood may not operate power tools or yard equipment between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. weekdays, or 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends and federal holidays.

Key details: Weekday start: 8 a.m. for commercial crews. Weekend start: 9 a.m. for commercial crews. Daily cutoff: 6 p.m. all days. Applies to: Nonresidential operators.

Commercial leaf blower or mower use before permitted hours; landscaping crew operating after 6:00 p.m.; exceeding equipment sound limits.

Quiet Hours

Englewood Chapter 286 establishes nighttime quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. with significantly reduced maximum sound levels measured at the receiving property line.

Key details: Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.. Adopting ordinance: Ord. 20-03 (2020). Code chapter: Chapter 286. Enforcement standard: N.J.A.C. 7:29.

Sound levels exceeding nighttime decibel limits at the property line; plainly audible amplified sound; persistent noise disturbances within Englewood city limits.

Amplified Music & Events

Englewood regulates amplified music using a plainly audible standard, and requires a permit from the Noise Control Officer for sound trucks or amplified political activity.

Key details: Test standard: Plainly audible. Bass detection: Sufficient for citation. Sound truck permit: Required in advance. Permit issuer: Noise Control Officer.

Plainly audible amplified bass beyond the property line; unpermitted sound truck operation; amplified music during quiet hours; exceeding table sound limits.

Construction Hours

Construction and demolition activity in Englewood is prohibited between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, and between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends and federal holidays.

Key details: Weekday window: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Weekend/holiday window: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Emergency exemption: Yes, with documentation. Code chapter: Chapter 286.

Operating power equipment, performing demolition, or conducting construction outside permitted hours; failure to obtain emergency-work justification.

The Bottom Line

Englewood'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 Englewood is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Englewood's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.