New Rochelle, NY Noise from Specific Sources: Generator Noise (2026)

1, added to Article III of the Noise Control Ordinance on April 24, 2001 by Ordinance No. " The 70 db(A)/25-foot combination is stricter than the nearby air compressor rule in § 213-14, which only requires a muffler certified to cut compressor exhaust noise by 20 db(A), because a residential backup generator runs for hours at a stretch rather than intermittently like a compressor. The exception is narrow: it applies only "at the time of an electrical power outage or other emergency situation," so testing or exercising a standby generator on a normal day, with utility power available, does not fall under the carve-out and the 70 db(A) ceiling applies in full.

1 cap can exceed those baseline district limits even during an outage, reflecting that the section anticipates emergency operation. Enforcement runs through the Police Department under § 213-26, which can order a generator shut down and, with a judicial order, seal it. Section 213-27 punishes any Chapter 213 violation with a fine of not more than $250 or imprisonment of not more than 15 days, or both, treating each day of continued operation as a separate offense. A hardship relief permit is available from the City Clerk under § 213-24.