New York, NY Filming & Production: Production Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Admin Code § 24-218(a-1)(1)
- Applies
- All hours, no nighttime-only limit
- Enforcing agency
- NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection
- First-offense fine
- $350 to $1,000
- Repeat-offense fine
- Up to $3,000 by 3rd offense
Summary
New York City treats film and TV production as commercial activity, so a Noise Control Code ban on unreasonable commercial noise applies around the clock: there is no nighttime-only limit and no film-permit exemption for production crews.
(a-1) No person shall make, continue or cause to permit or be made or continued any unreasonable noise: (1) for any commercial purpose or during the course of conducting any commercial activity; or
Full Breakdown
Administrative Code § 24-218(a-1)(1) bars unreasonable noise "for any commercial purpose or during the course of conducting any commercial activity," with filming falling squarely under that language. That is a stricter, always-on standard than the code's default test, which only measures decibel exceedance above ambient sound between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. A Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting shooting permit authorizes location access but does not override this ban: generators, dollies, and crew noise still can't rise to "unreasonable" at any hour, or the production risks a DEP notice of violation.
Violations & Fines
DEP issues notices of violation under § 24-218(a-1): first offense $350-$1,000, second offense $700-$2,000, third and subsequent offenses within two years $1,050-$3,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a MOFTB film permit exempt a shoot from NYC noise rules?
Is production noise judged by the same ambient-decibel test as other noise sources?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New York
New York rules heatmap·Compare New York to another location·View the New York filming & production overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.