Noise Ordinances in Buffalo, NY (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Buffalo, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Buffalo defines 'day' as 7 a.m.–9 p.m. (until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays) and prohibits all unreasonable noise at any hour. Any noise that annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities violates the ordinance.
Noise: Quiet Hours
Some RestrictionsBuffalo City Code § 293-2; § 293-3; § 293-7
DAY: The hours between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., except Fridays and Saturdays, when the evening hours shall be 11:00 p.m. § 293-3. Unreasonable noise prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue, cause to be made or permit to be made any unreasonable noise within the geographical boundaries of the City of Buffalo or within those areas over which the City has jurisdiction. T...
Construction Hours
Construction work, including excavating, demolishing, and pneumatic hammering, is prohibited between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. in residential zones when it annoys or disturbs a reasonable person. Emergency public-utility work is exempt.
Noise: Construction Hours
Some RestrictionsBuffalo City Code § 293-4(I)
§ 293-4.I. Construction activity. (1) The performance or engagement in construction work, building, excavating, hoisting, grading, demolishing, dredging or pneumatic hammering within the limits of the City between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. that causes sound which annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities in a residential real property zone, except for emergency w...
Barking Dogs
Buffalo prohibits keeping any animal or bird that causes noise annoying or disturbing a reasonable person of normal sensitivities. The ban applies at all hours; public zoos are exempt.
Noise: Barking Dogs
Some RestrictionsBuffalo City Code § 293-4(N); § 293-7
§ 293-4.N. The keeping of any animal or bird which causes noise that annoys or disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of a reasonable person of normal sensitivities. This provision shall not apply to public zoos. § 293-7. Penalty for offenses. Any person violating the provisions of this chapter may be liable for penalties as prescribed in Chapter 137, Article I, of this Code and § 1-15 of the C...
Leaf Blower Rules
Lawn maintenance equipment, including leaf blowers, mowers, edgers, trimmers, and power hedge shears, may not be operated between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. in residential zones when the noise disturbs a reasonable person. Golf courses are exempt.
Noise: Leaf Blower Rules
Some RestrictionsBuffalo City Code § 293-4(L)
§ 293-4.L. The use and operation of any lawn maintenance device, including mowers, edgers, trimmers and power-driven hedge shears, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. that causes sound that annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities in a residential real property zone. This provision does not apply to the operation such equipment on golf courses.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Amplified music or sound inside a building that is audible more than 100 feet from the property boundary is prohibited; outdoor use of sound-reproduction devices that annoys or disturbs a reasonable person is also banned.
Noise: Amplified Music
Some RestrictionsBuffalo City Code § 293-4(A)-(B)
§ 293-4.A. The use of any sound-reproduction device outside a structure either on private property or on a public right-of-way or public space at any time within the residential areas or within the commercial areas which, by causing noise, annoys or disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of a reasonable person of normal sensitivities. This provision shall not be construed to prohibit public perf...
Decibel Limits
Buffalo's noise ordinance uses noise-rating numbers rather than a single A-weighted dB limit: noise must exceed the ambient level by 5 decibels or more in any octave band to be declared excessive. Sound crossing from a louder zoning district into a quieter one must comply with the quieter district's limits.
Noise: Decibel Limits
Light RestrictionsBuffalo City Code § 293-5; § 293-6
§ 293-5. Additional guidelines to determine unreasonable noise. A. The subject noise must exceed ambient noise by five decibels or more in any octave band to be declared excessive or unreasonable. B. Sound projecting from one use district into another use district having a lower noise-level limit shall not exceed the limits of the district into which it is projected. § 293-6. Methods of measur...
Vehicle Noise
Buffalo bans driving with an inadequate muffler or exhaust system under City Code § 293-4(K), tying the violation directly to Vehicle and Traffic Law § 375(31). The same chapter caps any vehicle horn, car alarm or auditory signal at five minutes under § 293-4(J). Both are unreasonable-noise violations enforced citywide by police under Chapter 293.
Buffalo Vehicle Muffler and Horn Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsBuffalo City Code § 293-4(J), (K); § 293-7
J. The sounding of any horn, security alarm or other auditory signaling device in any vehicle, vessel, engine, machine or stationary boiler for period of time longer than five minutes, except as required by law or to provide a warning signal during use thereof. This provision shall not be construed to prohibit the use and operation of a signal device in an emergency vehicle. K. The operati...
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Buffalo city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Erie County →