Noise Ordinances in New Haven, CT (2026)
8 verified noise ordinances for New Haven, Connecticut, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
New Haven caps noise reaching a residential lot at 45 dBA at night versus 55 dBA by day, with nighttime running from 10 p.m. (9 p.m. Sundays and holidays) until the next day's hours begin.
New Haven Nighttime Residential Noise Limit
Some RestrictionsNew Haven Code of Ordinances § 18-73
Daytime hours means the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and the hours of 9:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m. Sundays and federal and state holidays. Unless otherwise provided, all other hours shall be construed as nighttime hours. Decibel means a logarithmic unit of measure used in measuring magnitudes of sound. The symbol is dB. SPL (sound-pressure level) is define...
Construction Hours
New Haven exempts construction equipment noise from its decibel limits only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, under Code of Ordinances Sec. 18-78(1). Running equipment outside those hours requires advance approval from the building official or public works director.
New Haven Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsNew Haven Code of Ordinances § 18-78(1)
The following shall be exempt from these regulations, subject to special conditions as provided herein:(1)Noise generated by any construction equipment which is operated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, and 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Sundays. The building official or the director of the department of public works must approve the operation of the same ...
Barking Dogs
New Haven treats animals that disturb neighbors' peace and quiet, including through nuisance behavior, as a public nuisance offense subject to fines under the city's animal code.
New Haven Animal Noise Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsNew Haven Code of Ordinances § 7-5
No person shall keep, harbor, or cause to be kept or harbored, any animal in any place or manner within the city, so as to cause a nuisance by reason of such animal's vicious disposition or other disturbance. Any animal that disturbs the peace and quiet of neighbors or the public is deemed to be a nuisance.(b)No person having custody of any animal shall permit it to roam at large. Such action i...
Leaf Blower Rules
New Haven only exempts domestic power equipment, including leaf blowers, mowers, power saws and similar yard tools, from its noise limits when run between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, under Code of Ordinances Sec. 18-78(3), and only if the exhaust is reasonably muffled.
New Haven Leaf Blower and Yard Tool Hours
Light RestrictionsNew Haven Code of Ordinances § 18-78(3)
The following shall be exempt from these regulations, subject to special conditions as provided herein: (1)Noise generated by any construction equipment which is operated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, and 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Sundays. The building official or the director of the department of public works must approve the operation of the s...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
New Haven's RS-3 zoning district lets event facilities in Historic Residential Structures host outdoor events until 11 p.m., but amplified music at those events must stop by 10 p.m., and only March through November.
New Haven RS-3 Outdoor Event Music Hours
Some RestrictionsNew Haven Zoning Ordinance § 12.5(2)b (RS-3 District)
Event facility in a Historic Residential or Accessory Structure hosting meetings, social events including, without limitation, weddings, banquets, workshops, corporate gatherings, education or training and similar gatherings. Outdoor events shall end no later than 11:00 p.m.; any amplified music at outdoor events shall end no later than 10:00 p.m. Events may be held outdoors on the grounds of t...
Aircraft Noise
New Haven caps aircraft takeoff noise at Tweed-New Haven Airport by time of day: 68.0 dB(A) overnight, rising to 78.0 dB(A) at midday, under Code of Ordinances § 4-63. Pilots who exceed the limit face escalating penalties from the airport manager, up to a seven-day impoundment, and government, emergency and search-and-rescue flights are exempt.
New Haven Aircraft Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsNew Haven Code of Ordinances § 4-63
No person shall take off or land an aircraft at the airport if the "takeoff" noise level for that model of aircraft exceeds the following noise levels, as set forth in the advisory circular in the column entitled "EST DBA," for the following time periods: Time Period / Maximum A-Weighted Sound Level: 12:00 a.m.—6:00 a.m. / 68.0 dB(A); 6:00 a.m.—7:00 a.m. / 73.0 dB(A); 7:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. / 78....
Decibel Limits
New Haven caps outdoor sound by the emitter's zoning district under Code of Ordinances Sec. 18-75: a residential source may not exceed 45 dBA into a neighboring residence at night (55 dBA by day), a commercial source tops out at 55 dBA into a residence, and an industrial source can reach 70 dBA into another industrial lot but only 51 dBA into a residence at night.
New Haven Noise Decibel Limits by Zone
Some RestrictionsNew Haven Code of Ordinances § 18-75(b)
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to emit or cause to be emitted any noise beyond the boundaries of his/her premises in excess of the noise levels established in these regulations as amended from time to time.(b)Noise level standards.(1)No person in a residential zone shall emit noise beyond the boundaries of his/her premises that exceeds the levels stated herein...Emitter's zone: Resident...
Vehicle Noise
New Haven bars motor vehicle noise, including amplified sound, that carries plainly audibly 100 feet from the vehicle, and requires a police-issued permit before using a loudspeaker or PA system.
New Haven Vehicle Amplification Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsNew Haven Code of Ordinances § 18-79(c)
No person shall operate a motor vehicle... in such a manner as to emit noise, including noise generated by a loud amplification device as defined herein, which is plainly audible at a distance of one hundred (100) feet from such vehicles by a person of normal hearing, except that loud speakers or public address systems are allowed provided prior to use thereof a permit has been obtained from th...