Noise from Specific Sources in Rochester, NY (2026)
3 verified noise from specific sources rules for Rochester, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
Rochester's excessive-noise ordinance flatly exempts air conditioners from its property-line noise thresholds, so a running AC unit cannot be cited under the general curfew the way other sound sources can, per Municipal Code § 75-4B(6); other noise-sensitive protections in the chapter still apply.
Rochester Air Conditioners Exempt From Noise Law
Few RestrictionsRochester City Code § 75-4B(6)
The provisions of this section shall not apply to noise emanating from the following: ... (6) Air conditioners.
Generator Noise
Rochester's citywide noise ordinance bars "excessive noise" audible beyond a property line at night or 50 feet away by day, but City Code § 75-4B(8) specifically carves emergency generators out of that ban. The exemption applies to true emergency units; a generator run for convenience rather than an outage can still trigger the general excessive-noise standard.
Rochester NY Exempts Emergency Generators From Noise Rule
Few RestrictionsRochester City Code § 75-4B(8)
B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to noise emanating from the following: (1) Sources or activities regulated by §§ 75-7, 75-8, 75-9, 75-10, 75-12, 75-13 and 75-15 of this chapter, and §§ 27-9A and 31-5 of the Municipal Code. ... (8) Emergency generators.
Delivery Truck Noise
Rochester's Noise chapter singles out loading and unloading for its own rule: City Code § 75-13 bars excessive noise from unloading a delivery vehicle or from opening, unloading or breaking down bales, boxes, crates and containers. The section carries no separate decibel or time standard, so what counts as "excessive" is judged case by case rather than against a fixed threshold like the tests written for other noise sources.
Rochester NY Bars Excessive Loading/Unloading Noise
Light RestrictionsRochester City Code § 75-13
No person shall make or permit to be made excessive noise in connection with loading or unloading of any vehicle or the opening, unloading or destruction of bales, boxes, crates and containers.
Looking for Monroe County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rochester city rules.
Noise from Specific Sources in Monroe County →