Noise Ordinances in Newark, NJ (2026)
5 verified noise ordinances for Newark, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Construction Hours
Newark's noise ordinance bars construction, drilling and demolition equipment between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, before 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays, and at any time on Sundays and legal holidays. The Departments of Health and Community Wellness, Engineering and Public Safety enforce the cutoff, with exceptions for emergency work or a special variance.
Newark Bars Loud Construction Outside Set Hours
Some RestrictionsRevised General Ordinances of the City of Newark § 20:3-13g
Construction; operating or permitting the operation of tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, demolition, or similar work between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day on weekdays, before 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays, and at any time on Sundays or legal holidays except for emergency work, or by special variance issued pursuant to this chapter, or when the resulting sound ...
Barking Dogs
Newark treats a barking dog as a code violation once it crosses a specific threshold: continuous barking for 10 minutes or intermittent barking for 30 minutes that disturbs a residential property line, under Section 20:3-13e of the Noise Control Ordinance. Section 6:1-10 of the animal control code cross-references the same rule, and carries its own fine of up to $200 or 90 days in jail.
Newark Barking Dog Noise Law
Some RestrictionsNewark Code §§ 20:3-13e, 6:1-10
§ 20:3-13e. Animals; owning, possessing or harboring any animal or bird that frequently or for a continued duration makes sounds that create a noise disturbance across a residential real property line. For the purpose of this chapter, a dog barking continuously for 10 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes will constitute a noise disturbance. ... § 6:1-10. No person shall keep, harbor or main...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Newark bans running a loudspeaker or public address system between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. if the sound crosses into a residential property line and creates unnecessary noise, under Section 20:3-13c of the Noise Control Ordinance. The curfew lifts for a public performance, gathering, or parade that has an actual city permit, but outdoor sound devices still cannot exceed Table I limits.
Newark Loudspeaker and PA Sound Curfew
Some RestrictionsNewark Code § 20:3-13c
§ 20:3-13c. Using or operating of any loudspeaker, public address system or similar device between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. the following day, such that the sound therefrom creates unnecessary noise across a residential real property line. This provisions shall not apply to any public performance, gathering or parade for which a permit has been obtained from the City of Newark.
Decibel Limits
Newark's Noise Control Ordinance sets a hard ceiling on sound measured at the real property line of the receiving property, keyed to Table I of Chapter 20:3, and backs the general limit with specific numeric caps, such as 55 dBA for air conditioning and heat-pump noise at a residential line. Health, Public Safety, and Engineering enforce it with certified sound meters.
Newark Noise Ordinance Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsNewark Code §§ 20:3-7, 20:3-13l
§ 20:3-7. No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation of any source of sound on a particular category or property in such a manner as to create a sound level that exceeds the particular sound level limits set forth in Table I when measured at the real property line of the receiving property. ... § 20:3-13l. Air Conditioning and Air Handling Devices; the operation of air condit...
Vehicle Noise
Newark requires every motor vehicle and motorcycle to run with its original muffler or an equivalent replacement in good working order, and separately bans playing a car radio or stereo loud enough to create unnecessary noise 50 feet away in public. Violating the stereo rule triggers impoundment of the equipment itself, on top of a court fine.
Newark Vehicle Muffler and Stereo Noise Law
Some RestrictionsNewark Code §§ 20:3-10, 20:3-13b
§ 20:3-10. a. No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the operation of any motor vehicle or motorcycle not equipped with original muffler, or equivalent replacement in good working order and in constant operation; b. No person shall remove or render inoperative, or cause to be removed or rendered inoperative, other than for purposes of maintenance, repair, or replacement, any muffler on ...
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