Noise Ordinances in New York, NY (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for New York, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
New York City has no blanket 'quiet hours' curfew, but the Noise Code's general prohibition (Admin. Code Sec. 24-218) makes it unlawful to make any unreasonable noise, and it sets a stricter nighttime threshold: device-attributable sound more than 7 dB(A) above ambient between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. is presumptively unlawful.
No fixed citywide curfew; 10pm-7am unreasonable-noise rule
Some RestrictionsNYC Administrative Code Sec. 24-218 (General prohibitions), Title 24, Chapter 2
No person shall make, continue or cause or permit to be made or continued any unreasonable noise. Unreasonable noise shall include but shall not be limited to sound, attributable to any device, that exceeds the following prohibited noise levels: ... Sound, other than impulsive sound, attributable to the source, measured at a level of 7 dB(A) or more above the ambient sound level at or after 10:...
Construction Hours
Under Admin. Code Sec. 24-222, construction work is unlawful except on weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Limited weekend work (Sat/Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) is allowed only for owner-occupied one- or two-family homes located more than 300 feet from a house of worship; all other after-hours work needs an authorization.
Construction allowed only weekdays 7am-6pm
Heavy RestrictionsNYC Administrative Code Sec. 24-222 (After hours and weekend limits on construction work)
Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, it shall be unlawful to engage in or to cause or permit any person to engage in construction work other than on weekdays between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. A person may however perform construction work in connection with the alteration or repair of an existing one or two family owner-occupied dwelling classified in occupancy group J-3 or a c...
Barking Dogs
Under Admin. Code Sec. 24-235, an animal owner may not permit unreasonable animal noise that is plainly audible inside any nearby residential property for 10 continuous minutes or more between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., or 5 continuous minutes or more between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Barking limited to 10 min (day) / 5 min (night)
Some RestrictionsNYC Administrative Code Sec. 24-235 (Animals)
No person having charge, care, custody, or control of any animal shall cause or permit such animal to cause unreasonable noise including, but not limited to, any sound that is plainly audible at any location within any residential receiving property as set forth below: (a) At or after 7 a.m. and before 10 p.m., continuously for a period of 10 minutes or more. (b) At or after 10 p.m. and before ...
Leaf Blower Rules
New York City limits leaf blowers and other lawn care devices to weekday hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (or sunset) and weekend/holiday hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., bars any use hitting 75 dB(A) at a neighbor's property, and requires a functioning muffler. DEP enforces.
NYC Leaf Blower Rules: Hours, 75 dB Cap, Muffler
Some RestrictionsN.Y.C. Admin. Code § 24-242
(a) No person shall operate or use ... any lawn care device: (1) On weekdays before eight a.m. and after seven p.m. or sunset, whichever occurs later; or (2) On weekends and New York state and federal holidays before nine a.m. and after six p.m.; or (3) At any time in such a way as to create an unreasonable noise. ... (b) No person shall operate or use or cause to be operated or used any leaf b...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Under Admin. Code Sec. 24-231, music from a commercial establishment may not exceed 42 dB(A) measured inside any nearby residential dwelling unit, nor 45 dB in any one-third octave band between 63 and 500 hertz (the bass standard). Separately, Sec. 24-244 bars operating any sound-reproduction device so as to create unreasonable noise or for street advertising.
Commercial music capped at 42 dB(A) inside nearby homes
Heavy RestrictionsNYC Administrative Code Secs. 24-231 (Commercial music) and 24-244 (Sound reproduction devices)
Sec. 24-231 Commercial music. (a) No person shall make or cause or permit to be made or caused any music originating from or in connection with the operation of any commercial establishment or enterprise when the level of sound attributable to such music, as measured inside any receiving property dwelling unit: (1) is in excess of 42 dB(A) as measured with a sound level meter; or (2) is in exce...
Decibel Limits
NYC's Noise Code caps music from bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and other commercial establishments at 42 dB(A) measured inside any neighboring residence, plus tighter bass and ambient-increase limits, all enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection.
NYC Commercial Music Noise Limit: 42 dB(A) Indoors
Some RestrictionsN.Y.C. Admin. Code § 24-231(a)
No person shall make or cause or permit to be made or caused any music originating from or in connection with the operation of any commercial establishment or enterprise when the level of sound attributable to such music, as measured inside any receiving property dwelling unit: (1) is in excess of 42 dB(A) as measured with a sound level meter; or (2) is in excess of 45 dB in any one-third octav...
Vehicle Noise
The NYC Noise Code prohibits excessive muffler/exhaust sound from motor vehicles on roads with a 35 mph or lower speed limit - defined by 'plainly audible' distances of 150 feet for cars, 200 feet for trucks, and 200 feet for motorcycles - and bans honking except as a warning of imminent danger.
Loud mufflers and car horns restricted citywide
Some RestrictionsNYC Dept. of Environmental Protection, A Guide to New York City's Noise Code (Motor Vehicles & Motorcycles), implementing Admin. Code Title 24, Ch. 2
The Noise Code prohibits excessive sound from the muffler or exhaust of motor vehicles operating on a public right-of-way where the speed limit is 35 mph or less. Excessive sound is: Plainly audible at a distance of 150 feet or more from vehicles of less than 10,000 lbs. (cars); and Plainly audible at a distance of 200 feet or more from vehicles of more than 10,000 lbs., (trucks); and Plainly a...