Edison, NJ Noise from Specific Sources: Car Alarm Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Cutoff time
- 15 minutes after activation
- Covers
- building and vehicle alarms
- Enforcer
- Dept. of Health & Human Services
- Max penalty
- $500 per offense
Summary
Edison Township exempts exterior burglar alarms on buildings and motor vehicles from the citywide sound-level table only if the alarm automatically shuts off within 15 minutes of activation.
The following are exempt from the sound level limits of Table 1:
1. Noise from domestic power tools, lawn mowers, and agricultural equipment shall be permitted when operated with a muffler between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends and legal holidays, provided that they produce less than eighty-five (85) dBA at or within any real property line of a residential property;
2. Sound from church bells and church chimes when a part of a religious observance or service;
3. Noise from construction activity provided all motorized equipment used in such activity is equipped with functioning mufflers, except as provided in subsection 12-27.7b6 of this section;
4. Noise from snowblowers, snow throwers, and snow plows when operated with a muffler for the purpose of snow removal;
5. Noise from stationary emergency signaling devices that conforms with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 7:29;
6. Noise from an exterior burglar alarm of any building or motor vehicle provided such burglar alarm shall terminate its operation within fifteen (15) minutes after it has been activated.
§ 12-27.7. Prohibited Acts; Certain Noises Prohibited During Certain Hours. [1999 Code §§ 8.112.050F, 9.08.010B; amended 6-29-2022 by Ord. No. O.2149-2022]
a.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4904708; v19 updated 2026-03-25; through 03-25-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under the Noise Control Code, an activated exterior burglar alarm on a building or a motor vehicle is excused from the Table 1 maximum sound-level limits, but only on condition that the alarm terminates within fifteen minutes of going off. An alarm that keeps sounding past that window loses the exemption and becomes an ordinary noise-disturbance violation, enforceable by the Department of Health and Human Services under the same Noise Control Code that covers the rest of Chapter 12.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services (§ 12-27.4a); fines up to $500 per offense under § 12-27.10c, with each continuing day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a car alarm going off once violate Edison's noise code?
What happens if my car alarm won't stop?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Edison
Compare Edison to another location·View the New Jersey noise from specific sources overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.