10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Lehigh County has no countywide noise ordinance; quiet hours are set by each municipality. In Allentown, the county seat, the nighttime period runs 10:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M., when the residential sound limit drops to 52 dB(A) and loudspeakers on public property are banned.
Allentown Cod. Ord. § 710.03(C)(4)
Using or operating any loudspeaker, public address system, or similar device: Such that sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a real property boundary, or Between the hours of 10 P.M. and 7 A.M., the following day on a public right-of-way or public space.
There is no county construction-hours rule; municipalities set them. Allentown bars construction, drilling and demolition noise across a residential boundary between 9:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. on weekdays and Saturdays, and at any time on Sundays or holidays, except emergency work.
Allentown Cod. Ord. § 710.03(E)(1)
Operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, or demolition work: Between the hours of 9:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. the following day on weekdays and Saturdays or at any time on Sundays or holidays, such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary, except for emergency work.
Lehigh County has no countywide barking-dog noise law. In Allentown it is a violation to keep any animal that barks, bays, cries or squawks continuously for 10 minutes, or intermittently for a half hour or more, disturbing any person, day or night.
Allentown Cod. Ord. § 710.03(C)(6)
Owning, possessing, harboring or controlling any animal or bird which barks, bays, cries, squawks or makes any other noise continuously and/or incessantly for a period of ten (10) minutes or makes such noise intermittently for one-half (1/2) hour or more to the disturbance of any person at any time of the day or night.
No county rule governs leaf blowers. Allentown bars mechanically powered lawn and garden tools, saws, drills, sanders and grinders used outdoors in residential areas between 9:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. where they disturb neighbors. Snow blowers are exempt.
Allentown Cod. Ord. § 710.03(C)(9)
Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, lawn or garden tool, or similar device used outdoors in residential areas between the hours of 9:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. the following day so as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property line. Snow blowers shall be exempt.
Lehigh County sets no amplified-sound rule. Allentown prohibits operating any radio, stereo, sound amplifier or similar device at any time of day in a manner that creates a noise disturbance across a real property boundary, and bans it in or on vehicles on public streets.
Allentown Cod. Ord. § 710.03(C)(1)
Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier, automobile radio, automobile stereo or high fidelity equipment or similar device which produces, reproduces or amplifies sound: At any time of the day in such a manner from any source as to create a noise disturbance across a real property boundary.
Neither Lehigh County nor Allentown regulates aircraft noise. Allentown's noise ordinance expressly exempts normal aircraft and airport operations, and aircraft noise is controlled by the FAA. Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) sits in the Allentown area.
Allentown Cod. Ord. § 710.05(A)(4)
The provisions of this Article shall not apply to: ... Aircraft and Airport Operations. Normal aircraft and airport operations.
Lehigh County does not zone or set industrial noise limits. In Allentown, industrial-zone property has a 77 dB(A) limit day and night, and any intrusive source that raises background levels by 10 dB(A) above Table 1 is a noise disturbance.
Allentown Cod. Ord. § 710.06(B)
In the event that the background sound levels in an area of suspected noise disturbance exceed the levels set forth in Table 1 above, an intrusive noise source which causes a 10 dB(A) increase in sound level above that background level shall constitute a noise disturbance.
Lehigh County sets no decibel limits. Allentown's Table 1 caps sound at the property boundary by land use: residential 57 dB(A) day / 52 dB(A) night, business and institutional 67/62, and industrial 77 dB(A) at all times.
Allentown Cod. Ord. § 710.06(A)
Unless a variance is obtained pursuant to Section 710.05(B), no person shall operate or cause to be operated on public or private property any source of sound in such a manner as to create a sound level which exceeds the limits set forth in the receiving land use category in Table 1 when measured at or within the property boundary of the receiving land use.
No county rule governs outdoor music. Allentown allows band concerts, block parties, carnivals and fairs outdoors only if sound stays within 10 dB(A) of the Table 1 limits, and limits any single location to ten such events per calendar year, unless a variance is granted.
Allentown Cod. Ord. § 710.03(E)(3)
Band concerts, block parties, church carnivals, fairs or other similar activities publicly or privately sponsored and presented in any public or private space outdoors: Shall not produce sound 10dB(A) in excess of the sound levels set forth in Table 1 of Section 710.06(A) of this Article; and Shall be limited to ten (10) occasions in a single location within a single calendar year.
There is no county vehicle-noise ordinance. Allentown requires every motor vehicle to have a working muffler and bans cutouts or bypasses. Idling a stationary vehicle longer than 15 minutes per hour within 150 feet of a residential area is also prohibited.
Allentown Cod. Ord. § 710.03(C)(12)(a)
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a muffler or other effective noise suppressing system in good working order and in constant operation and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device so as to cause a noise disturbance.
2 cities in Lehigh County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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