Noise Ordinances in Amherst, NY (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Amherst, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Construction Hours
Amherst confines noisy construction work to fixed weekly windows: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Any erection, demolition, excavating, blasting or grading noise reaching a residential property outside those hours violates Amherst Code § 138-5M, enforced by the Amherst Police Department.
Amherst Limits Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 138-5M
M. The conduct of any construction activities, including but not limited to the erection, demolition, assembling, altering, installing or equipping of buildings, public or private roadways, roads, premises, parks, utility lines or other property, including related activities such as land clearing, grading, earthmoving, excavating, blasting, filling or landscaping, so as to project a noise there...
Barking Dogs
Amherst bars keeping a dog that makes unreasonably loud or disturbing noise, like repeated barking or howling, and backs it with a fine of up to $500 per violation.
Amherst Barking Dog Nuisance Fine
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 99-2(C)
No person, firm, company or corporation shall keep, suffer, permit or allow to be kept on the premises owned or occupied by such person, firm, company or corporation any dog or dogs which create any unreasonably loud or disturbing noise, such as repeated or continual barking, howling or whining, so as to be detrimental to the life, health, safety or welfare of any individual. Any person, firm, ...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Amherst's noise code makes it a violation to run any sound-reproduction device, indoors or out, if the sound carries onto a residential property more than 100 feet from the source's own boundary line. Radios, speakers, PA systems and similar amplified equipment are covered under Amherst Code § 138-5A, enforced by the Amherst Police Department with fines up to $250 per day.
Amherst Bars Outdoor Amplified Sound Past 100 Feet
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 138-5A
A. The use of any sound-reproduction device outside of a structure whereby the sound emitted from such device is audible on property being used for residential purposes at a point more than 100 feet from the real property boundary line of the property from which said noise emanates.
Aircraft Noise
Amherst's noise code reaches one specific aircraft use: advertising noise made by means of aircraft. Amherst Code § 138-5N bars broadcasting ads, calls or announcements from a street, public place or aircraft using a horn, megaphone, siren, bell, radio or similar sound-amplifying device, but it does not regulate ordinary aircraft overflight noise, which the FAA controls, not the Town.
Amherst Bans Aircraft Advertising Noise
Light RestrictionsAmherst Code § 138-5N
N. The making of any noise for advertising purposes in any street or public place or by means of aircraft; the advertisement, article, business, calling or profession upon any street, sidewalk or entrance to a place of business by means of any horn, megaphone, siren, bell, radio or any other sound-producing or sound-amplifying mechanism, instrument or device.
Decibel Limits
Amherst regulates stationary noise sources like generators, compressors and rooftop equipment by decibel limit rather than distance. Table I under Amherst Code § 138-5P caps sound at the property line at 70-75 dBA from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and drops to 50 dBA (up to 75 for nonresidential-to-nonresidential noise) between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Amherst Sets Nighttime Decibel Limits by Zone
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 138-5P
Table I: Maximum Permissible Sound Levels by Receiving Land Use Category. Maximum Permissible Sound Level (dBAs) Receiving Land Use. Sound Source Land Use Category. Time Period. Residential. Nonresidential. Residential. 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 70 75. 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 50 50. Nonresidential. 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 70 75. 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 50 75.
Vehicle Noise
Playing a car stereo loud enough to threaten pedestrian or driver safety is a stand-alone violation in Amherst. Amherst Code § 138-5C and § 138-5D make any vehicle sound-reproduction device that endangers pedestrians or drivers unlawful, and § 138-5C sets a bright-line test: the sound violates the chapter once it can be heard from more than 50 feet away.
Amherst Restricts Vehicle Sound Systems
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 138-5C, § 138-5D
C. The use and operation of any sound-reproduction device in a vehicle which would constitute a threat to the safety of pedestrians or vehicle operators or where conditions of overcrowding or any street repair or any other physical conditions are such that the use of a sound-reproduction device would deprive the public of the right to the safe, comfortable, convenient, and peaceful enjoyment of...
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Amherst city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Erie County →