Noise Ordinances in Huntington, NY

If you live in Huntington or are thinking about moving there, noise ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Huntington has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Barking Dogs

Huntington Code § 141-4(D) makes it a noise disturbance to keep an animal or bird whose noise causes public annoyance or alarm. Barking plainly audible 50 feet away between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., or lasting five straight minutes (or 15 minutes total in eight hours) inside a neighboring dwelling, is prima facie evidence of a violation.

Key details: Nighttime threshold: Audible 50 feet, 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.. Duration threshold: 5 min continuous or 15 min in 8 hours. Evidence standard: Prima facie, no decibel meter needed. First-offense fine: $100 to $250. Citation: Huntington Code § 141-4(D).

Section 141-23 punishes any violation of the noise chapter, including § 141-4(D), by a fine of $100 to $250 for a first offense, $250 to $1,000 for a second offense within five years, and $1,000 to $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense within five years. The Bureau of Administrative Adjudication may impose a civil penalty in the same ranges.

Leaf Blower Rules

As of January 1, 2026, Town Code § 141-4(N) makes operating a gas-powered leaf blower a noise disturbance outright, aside from narrow carve-outs for cemeteries, golf courses, school properties and commercial landscapers in commercial/industrial zones. The prior rule capped use to two hours on weekdays and one hour on weekends.

Key details: Full ban effective: January 1, 2026. Exempt users: Cemeteries, golf courses, schools, landscapers. Prior weekday cap: 2 hours per property. Prior weekend cap: 1 hour per property. Clean-up exemption: Mar 15-Apr 30 and Nov 1-Dec 20.

Violating § 141-4(N), including operating a gas-powered leaf blower after the January 1, 2026 prohibition took effect outside the narrow exemptions, is punished under § 141-23 by a fine of $100 to $250 for a first offense, $250 to $1,000 for a second offense within five years, and $1,000 to $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense within five years.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Huntington actively enforces its leaf blower rules requirements.

Construction Hours

Huntington limits building erection, demolition, alteration and repair noise to weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. under Town Code § 141-4(I), excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. Saturday work between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. requires a discretionary permit from the Director of Engineering Services.

Key details: Allowed weekday hours: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.. Weekends/holidays: No construction noise by default. Saturday permit window: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., discretionary. Emergency permit length: 3 days, renewable while emergency lasts. Citation: Huntington Code § 141-4(I).

Section 141-23 penalizes construction noise outside the permitted hours under § 141-4(I) with a fine of $100 to $250 for a first offense, $250 to $1,000 for a second offense within five years, and $1,000 to $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense within five years, plus possible Bureau of Administrative Adjudication civil penalties.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Huntington bans the use of any amplified sound device, speaker system or public address system in a street, park or public place unless the Town Clerk has first issued a sound permit under Town Code § 141-9. Applicants file with the Town Clerk, pay a $25 fee, and describe the event, location, dates and equipment at least three business days ahead.

Key details: Permit issuer: Town Clerk, § 141-9. Application fee: $25, nonrefundable. Filing deadline: 3 business days before event. No-permit buffer: 500 ft of school, church, hospital. Blackout hours: No permits 11 p.m. to 9 a.m..

Operating amplified sound without a Town Clerk permit, failing to post an issued permit at the site, transferring a permit to another premises, or altering a permit are each violations of Chapter 141 under § 141-23. A first offense draws a fine of $100 to $250; a second offense within five years, $250 to $1,000; a third or subsequent offense within five years, $1,000 to $5,000. The Bureau of Administrative Adjudication may impose the same fine ranges.

This is one of the stricter rules in Huntington's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Decibel Limits

Huntington sets no decibel numbers. Town Code Chapter 141 bans any 'noise disturbance' and makes sound audible beyond your property line between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. prima facie evidence of a violation. Fines run $100 to $5,000, enforced by the Department of Public Safety.

Key details: Governing law: Town Code Chapter 141. Decibel limit: None; plainly-audible standard. Overnight cutoff: 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Construction hours: 7 a.m.–6 p.m. weekdays. Max fine: $5,000 (third offense).

First offense: $100 to $250. Second within five years: $250 to $1,000. Third or later within five years: $1,000 to $5,000, under Section 141-23.

Vehicle Noise

Huntington Code § 141-4(E) bars discharging engine or motorboat exhaust into the open air without an effective muffler, and § 141-4(F) separately bans running a vehicle so out of repair or overloaded that it creates grating, grinding or rattling noise. Both fall under the Noise Disturbances chapter's general fine schedule.

Key details: Muffler requirement: Effective device required, no bypass exhaust. Defect standard: Grating, grinding or rattling noise banned. No decibel limit: Qualitative disturbance standard applies. First-offense fine: $100 to $250. Citation: Huntington Code § 141-4(E), (F).

Section 141-23 sets the penalty for any violation of § 141-4, including subsections (E) and (F): $100 to $250 for a first offense, $250 to $1,000 for a second offense within five years, and $1,000 to $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense within five years, with civil penalties available through the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication.

The Bottom Line

Huntington is tougher than many cities when it comes to noise ordinances. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Huntington, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Huntington 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.