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Toms River, 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

Alarm cutoff
15 minutes
Covers
vehicle and building alarms
Audibility trigger
100 feet
Enforced by
Police/Code Enforcement
Filed in
Municipal Court

Summary

Toms River Township requires any car or building alarm that sounds to shut itself off within 15 minutes of activation, or the owner is committing a nuisance violation under the township code.

Bells and alarms. The sounding or permitting the sounding of any exterior building alarm on any building or motor vehicle, unless such burglar alarm system or similar device shall terminate its operation within 15 minutes after being activated.

L. Horns, signal devices, etc. The sounding of any horn or signaling device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or any other vehicle on any street or public place, except as a danger warning; the creation by means of any horn or signaling device of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound; the sounding of any said horn or signaling device for any unnecessary and unreasonable period of time; the use of said horn or signaling device when traffic is for any reason held up; or the use of any horn, whistle or device operated by engine exhaust.

M. The keeping of any animal or bird which shall emit frequent or long-continued noises.

§ 368-3.1. Light trespass in residential areas. [Added 8-25-2020 by Ord. No. 4678-20] The following acts, among others, are declared to be a nuisance in violation of this chapter:

A. Placing or maintaining spotlights or other types of artificial lighting that provide a concentrated beam of light extending beyond any property lines.

B. Placing or maintaining spotlights or other types of artificial lighting extending beyond the vertical plane of the face of any building or structure that causes a beam of light to be reflected upon any adjoining property or public street.

§ 368-4. Prevailing time.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954830; v33 updated 2026-04-22; through 04-22-2026).

Full Breakdown

Section 368-3K makes it a nuisance to sound, or permit the sounding of, any exterior building alarm 'on any building or motor vehicle, unless such burglar alarm system or similar device shall terminate its operation within 15 minutes after being activated.' The rule covers car alarms as well as home and business burglar alarms, and applies whenever the alarm is clearly audible from at least 100 feet away under § 368-3's general standard. Police and Code Enforcement Officials enforce the chapter, and any officer or resident may file a complaint in Municipal Court.

Violations & Fines

Violations are prosecuted in Municipal Court under § 368-6; fines follow the schedule in N.J.S.A. 40:49-5, and § 368-7 makes each day the alarm problem continues a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a car alarm legally keep sounding in Toms River?
No more than 15 minutes. Under § 368-3K, any vehicle or building alarm must terminate on its own within 15 minutes of activation.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Toms River

All Toms River rules

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