Noise Ordinances in Albany, NY (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Albany, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Albany bans unreasonable, unnecessary or unusual noise citywide, with tighter standards overnight between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. than during the day, enforced under City Code Article V with fines up to $1,000 per violation.
Albany Noise Curfew: 8 PM to 6 AM Quiet Hours
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 255-24
It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause or permit to be made or continued any unreasonable, unnecessary or unusual noise, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of a reasonable person of normal sensitivities or to make, continue or cause to be made or continued, between...
Construction Hours
Albany bans noisy building operations like pile drivers and pneumatic hammers between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless the Commissioner of Buildings grants written emergency permission.
Albany Bars Loud Building Work 10pm-7am
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 255-32
It shall be unlawful for any person conducting any building operations between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. to operate or use any pile driver, steam shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick, steam or electric hoists or other apparatus, the use of which is attended by loud or unusual noise, except upon written permission from the Commissioner of Buildings and then only in case of emergency. In...
Barking Dogs
Albany City Code makes it unlawful to keep a dog that habitually barks, yelps, or howls enough to seriously annoy a reasonable neighbor, enforced under the citywide noise article's penalty schedule.
Albany Bars Habitual Dog Barking
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 255-28
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep and have in his possession or harbor any dog which by frequent or habitual howling, yelping, barking or otherwise shall cause serious annoyance or disturbance to a reasonable person of normal sensitivities or to the neighborhood.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Albany's Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance caps amplified sound crossing a property line at 65 decibels, about the level of normal conversation, and requires speaker equipment to be aimed inward rather than toward neighboring lots, in every zoning district citywide.
Albany Caps Amplified Sound at 65 Decibels
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 375-410(1)(a)(vi)
Any amplified sound equipment shall be mounted so as to direct sound inward from properties, rather than outward towards property boundaries. Amplified sounds at a level higher than 65 decibels (the level of normal conversation) shall not be allowed to cross lot lines unless an approval has been issued for that purpose in connection with a special event. (vii) Nuclear radiation. No use or ac...
Decibel Limits
Albany's zoning code caps amplified sound at 65 decibels, normal conversation level, at property lines citywide, unless the City has approved a special-event exception under the Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance's operating standards.
Albany's 65-Decibel Limit on Amplified Sound
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 375-410(1)(a)(vi)
Noise. All activities shall comply with state law regarding permissible levels of noise and shall be conducted so as to avoid the creation of any noise that would create a public nuisance interfering with the use and enjoyment of adjacent properties. Any amplified sound equipment shall be mounted so as to direct sound inward from properties, rather than outward towards property boundaries. Ampl...
Vehicle Noise
Albany bars running an amplified radio, phonograph, or other sound-reproducing device on any vehicle on a public street without a permit from the Chief of Police, who can refuse it. A first conviction costs up to $250, and repeat offenders face up to $1,000 or jail.
Albany: Amplified Sound on Vehicles Needs a Police Permit
Significant RestrictionsCode of the City of Albany § 255-29(A)
No person shall use or operate or cause to be used or operated, in front of or outside any building, place or premises, or in or through any window, doorway or opening of such building, place or premises, or upon any public street or place or on any vehicle thereon, any device or apparatus for the amplification of sounds from any radio, phonograph or other sound-making or sound-reproducing devi...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Albany city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Albany County →