Scranton, PA Noise from Specific Sources: Delivery Truck Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Quiet hours
- 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Enforcing agency
- Bureau of Police
- Max fine
- $600 per violation
- Max jail term
- 30 days
- Exemption
- Municipal/utility right-of-way work
- Citation
- Scranton City Code § 317-7A(11)
Summary
Scranton's noise ordinance bars loading and unloading crates, containers, building materials or garbage cans without mufflers or sound barriers between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. if the noise crosses onto a residential property. The rule targets delivery trucks and dock crews working overnight near homes; municipal and utility crews in the public right-of-way are exempt.
Loading and unloading operations. Loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building or construction materials, industrial waste or cast-off parts, garbage cans or other similar objects, without attenuation of sound through mufflers, suppressors, exterior barriers or the like, of manufacturing or industrial equipment between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the day following in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary. This subsection shall not apply to municipal or utility services in or about the public right-of-way.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4719898; v25 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
the following day, in a manner that causes a noise disturbance across a residential property boundary. The prohibition sits inside § 317-7's list of specific noise disturbances, alongside separate rules for construction equipment and idling vehicles, and is enforced the same way as the rest of Chapter 317: the Bureau of Police may issue a citation immediately, or in lieu of a citation, order abatement within a period not to exceed 30 days under § 317-10. The exemption written into § 317-7A(11) is narrow: it excuses only municipal or utility services performed in or about the public right-of-way, not private freight carriers, warehouses or retail loading docks.
loading window. Under § 317-7C, noise that disturbs two or more residents of separate properties who agree on the time and duration is treated as prima facie evidence of a violation, which makes a documented complaint from more than one household the fastest path to a citation.
Violations & Fines
A violation of § 317-7A(11) carries a fine of up to $600 plus costs, or imprisonment up to 30 days, under § 317-11A; each day the disturbance continues is a separate offense. The Bureau of Police issues citations directly for a documented disturbance, or the city can first order abatement within 30 days under § 317-10, giving a business a chance to fix the problem before a citation issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the delivery noise rule apply during the day?
Are trash and recycling trucks exempt?
What proof does the city need to cite a business?
Can the city order fixes instead of fining a business right away?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Scranton
Compare Scranton to another location·View the Pennsylvania noise from specific sources overview
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