Noise Ordinances in Elizabeth, NJ (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Elizabeth, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Elizabeth bars excessive or unusually loud noise at any hour and layers on a specific nighttime curfew: radios, TVs and similar sound devices cannot run audibly across a property line between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, extending to 9:00 a.m. on Sundays and legal holidays, under the city's noise control ordinance, Chapter 8.48.
Elizabeth Nighttime Noise Curfew
Some RestrictionsElizabeth, NJ Code of Ordinances § 8.48.020(A), (B)(2)
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to make, continue or cause to be made or continued any excessive, unnecessary or unusually loud noise or any noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others within the limits of the city. ... Operating any such device on weekdays between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the fo...
Construction Hours
Construction noise in Elizabeth is barred between 7:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and banned outright on Sundays and legal holidays under the city's noise control ordinance, unless the work is emergency utility work or covered by a permit. The rule targets construction, drilling, repair or demolition sound that crosses into a neighboring residential lot or a posted quiet zone.
Elizabeth Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 8.48.020(B)(15)
15.Construction. Operating or causing the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, repair, alteration or demolition work, between the hours of 7:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day, such that the sound therefrom is audible across a residential real property boundary or within a quiet zone, except for emergency work for public service utilities or by permit issued ...
Barking Dogs
Elizabeth treats frequent, continual or habitual barking, howling, meowing or squawking by a dog, cat, bird or other animal that causes a noise disturbance as a prohibited noise under Section 8.48.020(B)(5). The rule reaches private pet owners as well as pounds, shelters, kennels, pet shops and menageries that hold or display animals.
Elizabeth Barking Dog Noise Violation
Some RestrictionsElizabeth, NJ Code of Ordinances § 8.48.020(B)(5)
Animals and Birds. Owning, keeping, possessing or harboring any dog, cat, bird or other animals which, by frequent, continual or habitual howling, barking, meowing, squawking or other noise-making, cause a noise disturbance. The provisions of this subsection shall also apply to all public and private facilities, including animal pounds, shelters or kennels which hold or treat animals or pet sho...
Leaf Blower Rules
Elizabeth bars outdoor leaf blowers, lawnmowers and other power garden tools between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, and 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. before a Sunday or legal holiday, under the domestic power tools clause of the noise control ordinance, which covers garden tools and similar devices used outdoors.
Elizabeth Leaf Blower and Yard Tool Hours
Some RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 8.48.020(B)(7)
7.Domestic Power Tools. Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically powered saw, sander, drill, grinder, lawnmower or garden tool, snowblower or similar devices used outdoors between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day and between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. if the following day is a Sunday or legal holiday;
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Elizabeth bars loudspeakers and amplified sound equipment, whether used for advertising or non-commercial purposes, from being plainly audible or creating a noise disturbance between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weeknights, extending to 11:00 a.m. on Sundays and legal holidays, under Section 8.48.020(B)(3) of the noise control ordinance.
Elizabeth Amplified Sound and Loudspeaker Rules
Some RestrictionsElizabeth, NJ Code of Ordinances § 8.48.020(B)(3)
Loudspeakers. Using or operating any loudspeaker, loudspeaker system or similar device for commercial advertising or for noncommercial purposes in a fixed or movable position, in the interior or exterior of any building or mounted upon any aircraft, motor vehicle or motorboat in such a manner that the sound therefrom is plainly audible or creates a noise disturbance between the hours of 9:00 p....
Decibel Limits
Elizabeth caps noise from industrial and commercial operations at the residential property line: City Code § 17.36.060(E)(4) sets a 65 dBA continuous-sound ceiling from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and a 50 dBA ceiling from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., with an 80-decibel cap on impulsive sound around the clock.
Elizabeth Noise Decibel Limits by Time of Day
Some RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 17.36.060(E)(4)
4.No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit sound from any industrial or commercial operation which, when measured at any residential property line, is in excess of any of the following:a.From 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.i.Continuous airborne sound which has a sound level in excess of sixty-five (65) dBA...iii.Impulsive sound in air which has an impulsive sound level in excess of eighty (80) de...
Vehicle Noise
Elizabeth's noise ordinance bans tampering with a vehicle's muffler or noise control device and separately outlaws driving a car, truck, bus or motorcycle so out of repair or loaded that it grates, rattles, grinds or clangs, alongside a horn-honking restriction limited to genuine danger warnings.
Elizabeth Muffler and Noisy Vehicle Rules
Some RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 8.48.020(B)(10)-(11)
10.Tampering.a.The removal or rendering inoperative by any person, other than for the purpose of maintenance, repair or replacement, of any noise control device or element of device or noise label,b.The alteration or modification of any noise control device or sound muffling element on any motor vehicle or motorcycle;11.Noisy Vehicles. The use of any automobile, motorcycle, bus, truck, trailer ...
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