Haverford, PA Noise from Specific Sources: HVAC & Mechanical Noise (2026)

Section 117-2 targets the equipment itself: any air conditioning unit or units and equipment or other mechanical equipment or apparatus installed in or attached to a building, or located on premises appurtenant to a building. The operator commits the offense by producing excessive noise that causes annoyance, inconvenience or detriment to the public or to any other person. The code then supplies the test for excessive: sound pressure above the limits in § 117-3, which are numeric and tied to frequency bands.

The chapter splits the day in § 117-1. Daytime hours run from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and nighttime hours run from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The definition of source of complaint points at the neighboring lot: the location on the property adjacent to the complainant's property that holds the air conditioning unit or other mechanical equipment. Readings are taken at the complainant's property line or within the complainant's property.

Under § 117-3C and D, a source heard indoors is measured with the microphone three feet from the nearest window in the room and not less than three feet above the floor, and the inside table applies. A source heard outdoors is measured at the source of the complaint, no closer than three feet to any wall and not less than three feet above the ground, and the outside table applies. Section 117-5 requires a sound-level meter with an octave band analyzer made to American Standards Association standards. If the test finds a violation, § 117-3E orders the operation discontinued until corrections are approved by the Director of Code Enforcement.