Noise Ordinances in Philadelphia, PA (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Philadelphia's Noise Code (Chapter 10-400) is mainly decibel-based rather than blanket quiet hours, but it bars amplified radios/players in the public right-of-way abutting homes from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., and a Health Department regulation prohibits residential trash collection noise from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Nighttime quiet hours 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. (right-of-way)
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code Sec. 10-403(7)
Sound Created in the Right-of-Way. No person shall create or cause, or permit the creation of, sound in the public right-of-way: (a) abutting a residential property by amplification from a radio, tape player or similar device between the hours of 9 p.m. and 8 a.m., unless used in connection with an earplug or earphones which will prevent significant emanation of sound from such device; or (b) t...
Construction Hours
Philadelphia defines 'Regular Construction' as work between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday-Friday, or 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays; during those hours the Noise Code's decibel limits are largely waived for properly maintained equipment.
Construction 7 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. weekends
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code Sec. 10-402(11) & 10-403(8)
Regular Construction. Construction between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, or between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekends and legal, national or state holidays. ... Exception for Construction Activity. The restrictions of subsections (1) through (5) and (7)(b) do not apply to regular construction and emergency and public works construction, provided that all equipm...
Barking Dogs
Philadelphia's Noise Code prohibits more than 5 expressions of sound from one or more animals (such as dog barks) during any five-minute period when audible more than 50 feet from the property boundary, with exemptions for zoos, vet clinics, shelters, and similar facilities.
More than 5 barks in 5 minutes audible at 50 ft barred
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code Sec. 10-403(6)
Animal Sounds. No person shall cause or permit more than 5 expressions of sound from one or more animals (such as individual barks from one or more dogs) during a five minute period from any property audible at a distance greater than 50 feet from the property boundary. This shall not apply to zoos, veterinary hospitals or clinics, animal shelters, a circus or other licensed entertainment venue...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Philadelphia caps amplified music and other sound by decibels above background at the property boundary: 3 dB near hospitals/schools/houses of worship, 5 dB at the nearest home, and 10 dB at the nearest non-residential property, with concert venues and stadia held to a 70 dB total ceiling at the nearest home.
Amplified sound limited to decibels above background
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code Sec. 10-403(3), (5)
Sound From Non-Residential Properties. No person shall create or cause, or permit the creation of, sound originating from a property used for a non-residential purpose that exceeds: (a) 5 decibels above background level measured at the property boundary of the nearest occupied residential property; or (b) 10 decibels above background level measured at the property boundary of the nearest occupi...
Aircraft Noise
Philadelphia's Noise Code expressly exempts aircraft and airport/railroad operations, and federal law preempts local control of aircraft noise; Philadelphia International Airport, which the City owns, runs its own FAA-coordinated noise program instead.
Aircraft noise exempt from city code; FAA preempts
Few RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code Sec. 10-403(13)(a)-(b)
Exemptions. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the following: (a) Aircraft; (b) Airport and railroad operations; (c) Licensed fireworks displays; (d) Sounds lasting no more than 5 minutes in any one hour created by bells, chimes, carillons, or the human voice, or by electronic or mechanical devices that reproduce such sounds, while used in connection with a religious institution;...
Decibel Limits
Philadelphia Code Section 10-403 sets numeric decibel ceilings measured at the property boundary: 3 dB above background near hospitals, schools, and other protected facilities; 3 dB (or audible past 100 feet) from residential properties; 5-10 dB from non-residential sources; and a flat 70 dB cap for concert venues and stadiums measured at the nearest home.
Philadelphia's Decibel Limits by Property Type
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code § 10-403(1), (3), (5)
(1) Sound Near Protected Facilities. No person shall create or cause, or permit the creation of, sound that exceeds 3 decibels above background level measured at the property boundary of any hospital, nursing home, house of worship, courthouse, school, library or day care facility... (3) Sound From Non-Residential Properties. No person shall create or cause, or permit the creation of, sound ori...
Vehicle Noise
Philadelphia bans motor vehicle sound exceeding 5 decibels above background level measured from 25 feet away, covering engine noise, mufflers, and car stereos, enforced through camera-and-decibel-meter systems citywide.
Philadelphia Caps Vehicle Sound at 5 Decibels
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code § 10-403(14)
Sound Emanating From a Motor Vehicle. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in subsection (7) ("Sound Created in the Right-of-Way"), no person shall create or cause, or permit the creation of, sound emanating from a motor vehicle, at a level of five decibels above background level measured from a distance of 25 or more feet.