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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Continuous sound limit
5 minutes
Intermittent sound limit
15 minutes
Minimum fine
$500 per offense
Maximum fine
$2,000 per offense
Enforced by
Noise Control Officer / police

Summary

Paterson requires every burglar alarm on a building or vehicle to shut off within 5 minutes of continuous sound or 15 minutes of intermittent sound, backed by fines up to $2,000 per offense.

All interior and exterior burglar alarms of a building or motor vehicle must be activated in such a manner that the burglar alarm terminates its operation within five minutes for continuous airborne sound and 15 minutes for intermittent sound after it has been activated. At all other times, the limits set forth in Tables I, II or III do not apply.

F. Self-contained, portable, nonvehicular music or sound production devices shall not be operated on a public space or public right-of-way in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet in any direction from the operator between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., sound, operated on a public space or public right-of-way, from such equipment shall not be plainly audible at a distance of 25 feet in any direction from the operator.

G. Animal noise.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any property owner or tenant to allow any domesticated or caged animal to create a sound across a real property line which unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort, and repose of any resident, or to refuse or intentionally fail to cease the unreasonable noise when ordered to do so by a Noise Control Officer or Noise Control Investigator. Prima facie evidence of a violation of this section shall include but not be limited to:

(a)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).

Full Breakdown

City Code § 337-10E requires every interior and exterior burglar alarm, on a building or a motor vehicle, to terminate automatically within five minutes of continuous airborne sound, or 15 minutes if the sound is intermittent, once triggered. There's no separate carve-out for car alarms; a vehicle alarm that keeps blaring past those windows violates the chapter the same as a building alarm would. A police officer, the Noise Control Officer, or a Noise Control Investigator can issue a notice of penalty assessment, and violations carry a minimum $500 fine, up to $2,000 under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5, with each continuing day a separate offense.

Violations & Fines

A notice of penalty assessment (NOPA) from police or a Noise Control Officer; fines run $500 to $2,000 per offense, and each additional day the alarm keeps violating the limit is a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a car alarm legally sound in Paterson?
Five minutes if it's continuous, or 15 minutes if intermittent, under § 337-10E: after that it's a violation.
Who enforces Paterson's alarm noise rule?
Police officers, the Noise Control Officer, or a Noise Control Investigator, who can issue a notice of penalty assessment.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Paterson

All Paterson rules

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