Noise Ordinances in Paterson, NJ (2026)
8 verified noise ordinances for Paterson, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Paterson doesn't impose a blanket noise curfew, but Chapter 337's sound-level table cuts the residential outdoor noise ceiling from 65 dB in the daytime to 50 dB between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Paterson's Nighttime Noise Standard
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 337-8, Table I
Table I Maximum Permissible A-Weighed Sound Levels When Measured Outdoors Receiving Property Category Residential Property or Residential Portion of a Multi-Use Property Residential Property or Residential Portion of a Multi-Use Property Public Service Facility, Nonresidential/ Noncommercial Portion of a Multi-Use Property, or Community Service Facility Time 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 10:0...
Construction Hours
Paterson's noise code requires every motorized machine used for construction or demolition to run with a muffler or sound-reduction device, on top of the decibel limits and restricted hours set for the activity in Chapter 337.
Paterson Requires Mufflers On Construction Gear
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 337-10C
All motorized equipment used in construction and demolition activity shall be operated with a muffler and/or sound reduction device. D. Motorized snow removal equipment shall be operated with a muffler and/or a sound reduction device when being used for snow removal. At all other times, the limits set forth in Tables I, II or III do not apply. E. All interior and exterior burglar alarms o...
Barking Dogs
Paterson bans animal noise that unreasonably disturbs neighbors, with a concrete evidentiary standard: five minutes of steady barking or 20 minutes of intermittent barking counts as a violation under the city's noise ordinance.
Paterson Barking Dog Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 337-10.G
It shall be unlawful for any property owner or tenant to allow any domesticated or caged animal to create a sound across a real property line which unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort, and repose of any resident, or to refuse or intentionally fail to cease the unreasonable noise when ordered to do so by a Noise Control Officer or Noise Control Investigator... Vocalizing ...
Leaf Blower Rules
Paterson bars residents from running power tools, leaf blowers and other yard maintenance equipment between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. unless the noise stays within Chapter 337's decibel limits, and requires a muffler on motorized gear.
Paterson Restricts Yard Equipment Hours
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 337-10A
Excluding emergency work, power tools, home maintenance tools, landscaping and/or yard maintenance equipment used by a residential property owner or tenant shall not be operated between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., unless such activities can meet the applicable limits set forth in Tables I, II or III. At all other times, the limits set forth in Tables I, II or III do not apply. All mot...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Outdoor and portable amplified music in Paterson can't raise sound above the neighborhood residual level by more than 3 dB(C) at night, and portable devices in public space must stay inaudible past 25-50 feet depending on the hour.
Paterson Limits Outdoor Amplified Sound
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 337-9
No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation of any sound production device in such a manner that the sound crosses a property line and raises the total sound levels above the neighborhood residual sound level by more than the permissible sound level limits set forth in Table IV when measured within the residence of a complainant according to the measurement protocol in § 337-7...
Aircraft Noise
Paterson's noise ordinance does not regulate aircraft flight operations: they are listed as a flat exemption from the chapter's sound-level rules, mirroring the state exemption list.
Paterson Exempts Aircraft Flight Noise
Few RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 337-5A(7)
Except as provided in §§ 337-10 and 337-11 below, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the exceptions listed at N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.5. These exemptions are set forth below: (1) Agricultural activities; (2) Bells, chimes or carillons, which may include electronic devices that imitate the sounds of bells, chimes or carillons, while being used in conjunction with religious services;...
Decibel Limits
Paterson caps outdoor sound at residential properties at 65 dBA from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and 50 dBA overnight, measured at the property line, under a detailed three-table noise standard.
Paterson Noise Decibel Limits by Time of Day
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 337-8, Table I
No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation of any source of sound...in such a manner as to create a sound level that equals or exceeds the sound level limits set forth in Tables I, II or III when measured at or within the real property line... Table I...Residential Property...Maximum A-Weighted Sound Level Standard, dB...7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m....65...10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.....
Vehicle Noise
Paterson bans disabling a vehicle's factory noise-control equipment and caps vehicular music amplification at 25 feet audible overnight, 50 feet by day, under Chapter 337.
Paterson Vehicle Muffler & Stereo Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 337-11A, C
No person shall remove or render inoperative, or cause to be removed or rendered inoperative or less effective than originally equipped, other than for the purposes of maintenance, repair, or replacement, any device or element of design incorporated in any motor vehicle for the purpose of noise control. No person shall operate a motor vehicle or motorcycle which has been so modified. A vehicle ...
Looking for Passaic County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Paterson city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Passaic County →