East Brunswick, NJ Noise from Specific Sources: Car Alarm Limits (2026)

Section 147-9E is the rule that governs car alarms in East Brunswick Township. It does not use the phrase car alarm. It covers all interior and exterior burglar alarms of a building or motor vehicle, so a vehicle alarm and a building alarm share one standard. The alarm must be activated in such a manner that it terminates its operation within five (5) minutes for continuous airborne sound and fifteen (15) minutes for intermittent sound after it has been activated. At all other times the sound limits in Tables I, II or III do not apply to the alarm.

Section 147-2 defines MOTOR VEHICLE as any vehicle that is propelled other than by human or animal power on land, so the alarm rule reaches cars, trucks and motorcycles alike. Section 147-3 states that the chapter applies to sound from residential properties, public and private rights-of-way and public spaces, among other categories, so an alarm sounding on a street is covered in the same way as one on a driveway.

Enforcement runs through the Noise Control Officer or Noise Control Investigator. Under § 147-5, an Investigator can handle violations that do not need a sound level meter, which includes timing how long an alarm runs. The officer issues an enforcement document that identifies the condition and the specific provision violated, and it states whether the violator has time to correct the problem before a penalty is sought. The owner who wants more time can request an extension of the compliance deadline from the officer, not to exceed 180 days, by showing a good faith effort to comply.