Newark, OH Noise from Specific Sources: Generator Noise (2026)

Newark's Noise Control Ordinance does not use the word generator anywhere, so the rule for generator noise in the City of Newark, Ohio comes from the engine language in Section 634.04(a)(4)C of the Newark Code of Ordinances. That subparagraph prohibits any person from discharging into the open air the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine or motorboat, except through a muffler or other device in good working order and in constant operation. A generator that runs on a gasoline, diesel or gas engine and sits in one place fits the stationary internal combustion engine wording.

Section 634.02(13) defines a muffler or sound dissipative device as a device for abating the sound of escaping gases of an internal combustion engine. The requirement is therefore about the exhaust path: an unmuffled, damaged or removed muffler on a running generator is the violation, and the engine must keep the device in constant operation, not just fitted.

Two other parts of Chapter 634 sit on top of the muffler rule. Section 634.03(a) bars any person from unreasonably making, continuing or permitting a noise disturbance, defined as sound that endangers or injures health or safety, annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, or endangers or injures property. Section 634.05 caps sound on private property, measured at or within the boundary of the receiving land use, at 60 dBA from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 50 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. for residential receiving property, and 70 dBA for a retail area at all times. Section 634.07 sets a higher health and welfare ceiling of 90 dBA for 24 hours when measured at fifty feet.

Section 634.06(b) keeps emergency signaling devices, construction tools and domestic power tools outside the Table 1 levels, but the muffler rule in Section 634.04(a)(4) has no such carve-out. Law enforcement officers enforce the chapter and can inspect under Section 634.08 with permission.