How Hackensack Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Hackensack maintains 59 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with noise ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Hackensack falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Construction Hours

Hackensack restricts construction and demolition activity to between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends and federal holidays, excluding emergencies.

Key details: Weekday hours: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.. Weekend hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.. Holidays: Same as weekend hours. Equipment requirement: Muffler or sound reduction. Emergency exception: Allowed for safety work.

Violators face fines starting at $100 per offense, with each day of unauthorized construction treated as a separate violation under the City Code's general penalty section.

Quiet Hours

Hackensack City Code Chapter 112 (Noise), adopted by Ordinance No. 07-2018 on April 10, 2018, restricts construction noise audible off-property to 7:00 AM-6:00 PM weekdays and 9:00 AM-6:00 PM Saturdays/federal holidays, with no construction Sundays. Domestic power tools and lawn equipment are limited to 8:00 AM-8:00 PM weekdays and 9:00 AM-8:00 PM weekends/holidays. Enforcement is by the Hackensack Health Department under the New Jersey Noise Control Act (N.J.A.C. 7:29).

Key details: Chapter 112 Adopted: Chapter 112 adopted Ord. 07-2018 on April 10, 2018. Construction Prohibited 6: Construction prohibited 6 PM-7 AM weekdays, 6 PM-9 AM Sat/holidays, all day. Power Tools and: Power tools and lawn equipment 8 AM-8 PM weekdays only. Sound Measured C-weighted,: Sound measured C-weighted, fast response at property line. Health Department Issues: Health Department issues Notice of Violation with up to 90-day cure.

Minor first violations typically receive a Notice of Violation with up to a 90-day grace period. Continuing or repeat violations are referred to municipal court under Chapter 112 and Chapter 114; consult the Hackensack Health Department for current penalty schedules.

The Bottom Line

Hackensack'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 Hackensack is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Hackensack's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.