Troy, NY Noise from Specific Sources: Bar & Nightclub Noise (2026)

Section 201-4(O) of the Troy City Code puts three duties on every restaurant, tavern, bar, nightclub, disco or similar use in the City of Troy, Rensselaer County, New York, whether public or private. First, the use cannot be conducted so that unreasonable or unnecessary music or other noise is caused by or emanates from it. Second, the owner, operator or proprietor, or the owner licensee or person in control of any private premises, must limit the level of noise emanating from the premises. Third, that person must disperse any assembly of persons loitering, drinking alcoholic beverages or otherwise engaging in lewd or disorderly conduct adjacent to or near the premises, or immediately notify the Troy Police of such conduct. The third duty reaches the crowd outside, not just the sound system inside.

The general noise tests apply on top. Section 201-3(B) caps sound-pressure levels at the lot line by octave band, and it cuts every band by six decibels where a use adjoins a residential or transitional district. Private clubs and meeting halls are also covered by the 11:00 p.m. party-noise rule in § 201-4(P).

The consequences extend past the fine. Under the Mayor's nuisance point system, each Chapter 201 violation is three points under § 205-19(D)(2), a violation of Section 123 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law is six points under § 205-19(B)(6), and operating a business during hours when it is required to be closed under § 220-10 is four points under § 205-19(C)(4). When 12 or more points are assessed within 12 months, or 18 or more within 24 months, a nuisance is deemed to exist. After notice and a hearing, the Mayor or the Mayor's designee can then suspend for a period not to exceed six months or revoke for a period of 13 months a certificate of use or any occupational license or permit (§ 205-21).