Noise Ordinances in Bethlehem, PA (2026)
5 verified noise ordinances for Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Bethlehem's general noise nuisance ban in Section 717.01 runs around the clock, but the code carves out one true nighttime curfew: construction, drilling, and demolition tools and equipment cannot run between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. without a special permit from the Community and Economic Development Director.
Bethlehem Construction Noise Curfew
Some RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 717.01(b)(5)
(5) Construction and Improvements. The operating of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling or demolition work, provided that such work does not occur between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless a special permit is obtained from the Community and Economic Development Director or his designated representative.
Construction Hours
Bethlehem's noise ordinance treats most sound as background regulation, but construction and demolition work gets a hard curfew: tools and equipment used in construction, drilling or demolition cannot run between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless the contractor first gets a special permit from the Community and Economic Development Director. The rule sits inside Article 717's broader unnecessary-noise nuisance law.
Bethlehem Bars Construction Noise 9 PM to 6 AM
Some RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 717.01(b)(5)
(b) The provisions of section 717.01(a) shall not apply to: ... (5) Construction and Improvements The operating of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling or demolition work, provided that such work does not occur between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless a special permit is obtained from the Community and Economic Development Director or his designated representative.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Bethlehem caps amplified and reproduced sound at a 40-foot audibility radius. Section 717.01(a)(1) bars operating a radio, stereo, boom box, CD player, or any other sound reproduction device anywhere in the City at a volume audible more than forty feet from the device.
Bethlehem Amplified Sound 40-Foot Limit
Some RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 717.01(a)(1)
(a) The making of unnecessary noise, while residing or occupying or present in or around a dwelling, building or other structure in the City by a person, animal, musical instrument, amplifying systems or otherwise, is declared to be a public nuisance. Prohibited conduct shall include, but not be limited to the following: (1) No person shall operate or allow to be operated a radio, stereo, boom ...
Aircraft Noise
Bethlehem amended its adopted building code to add IBC 720.08, requiring every new residential structure affected by vehicular, industrial, or aircraft noise to be designed so interior sound levels do not exceed a 45-decibel day-night average with windows and doors closed. Builders can meet the standard through acoustical insulation methods drawn from a federal highway noise manual kept on file with the City Planner.
Bethlehem Aircraft Noise Insulation Standard
Some RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 1701.02 (IBC 720.08)
Add IBC 720.08 Installation of Sound Insulation Any new residential structure affected by vehicular, industrial or aircraft noise shall be designed so that the interior sound levels do not exceed a day-night average sound level of forty-five (45) decibels (calculated with the windows and doors closed). This may be accomplished by the acoustical insulation of the structure as specified in the U...
Vehicle Noise
Bethlehem's traffic code bans car stereos audible more than 40 feet away, requires every motor vehicle to run a working muffler with no cutout or bypass, and caps overall vehicle noise at the state's Title 67 sound limits. The Police Department enforces Article 509, with fines climbing to $500 or 30 days in jail for repeat offenders.
Bethlehem Vehicle Stereo and Muffler Noise Ban
Some RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 509.03(a)(1)-(2)
The making of unnecessary noise, by or from a motor vehicle upon, near or adjacent to the streets or other public places in the City by horns, engine whistles, bells, sirens, radios, amplifying systems or otherwise, is declared to be a public nuisance. Prohibited conduct shall include, but not be limited to the following: (1) No person shall operate or allow to be operated a radio, stereo, boom...