Paterson, NJ Noise from Specific Sources: HVAC & Mechanical Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime outdoor limit
- 65 dB, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Nighttime outdoor limit
- 50 dB, 10 p.m.–7 a.m.
- HVAC named as example source
- § 337-3 definitions
- Construction equipment
- Separately exempt, HVAC is not
Summary
Paterson's noise ordinance names air conditioners and HVAC units as example stationary sound sources and caps them at the same real-property-line decibel limits as any other equipment: 65 dB by day, 50 dB overnight outdoors at a residence.
No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation of any source of sound on any source property listed in § 337-4B(1)(a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i) above in such a manner as to create a sound level that equals or exceeds the sound level limits set forth in Tables I, II or III when measured at or within the real property line of any of the receiving properties listed in Tables I, II or III, except as specified in § 337-7B.
B. Impulsive sound. Between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., impulsive sound shall not equal or exceed 80 decibels. Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., impulsive sound which occurs less than four times in any hour shall not equal or exceed 80 decibels. Impulsive sound which repeats four or more times in any hour shall be measured as continuous sound and shall meet the requirements as shown in Tables I and II. Table I Maximum Permissible A-Weighed Sound Levels When Measured Outdoors Receiving Property Category Residential Property or Residential Portion of a Multi-Use Property Residential Property or Residential Portion of a Multi-Use Property Public Service Facility, Nonresidential/ Noncommercial Portion of a Multi-Use Property, or Community Service Facility Time 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
24 hours Maximum A-Weighted Sound Level Standard, dB 65 50 65 Table II
Maximum Permissible A-Weighted Sound Levels When Measured Indoors Receiving Property Category
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 337's definitions single out HVAC/AC equipment twice: 'multi-use property' lists 'air conditioners' among devices that can be 'a source of elevated sound levels,' and 'real property line' uses 'an outdoor sound source such as an HVAC unit' to illustrate where the boundary is measured. Those sources are then bound by § 337-8's general rule: no one may operate a source of sound that equals or exceeds the Table I-III limits measured at the real property line of a receiving property, 65 dB outdoors at a residence from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., dropping to 50 dB overnight. Construction and demolition equipment is separately exempted; HVAC units are not.
Violations & Fines
An HVAC or AC unit measured at or above the applicable Table I/II limit at the real property line is a violation, enforced by Noise Control Officers from the Division of Health and Paterson Police under § 337-6 and § 337-12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Paterson's noise code cover a loud AC or HVAC unit?
What's the daytime residential outdoor limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
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