Bloomfield, NJ Noise from Specific Sources: Low-Frequency Bass Limits (2026)

Bass complaints in Bloomfield Township run through the plainly audible standard in Chapter 635, Noise. Section 635-1 defines plainly audible as any sound that can be detected by a person using unaided hearing, and says that for a portable or personal vehicular sound amplification or reproduction device, detecting the rhythmic bass component of the music is sufficient to verify plainly audible sound. The noise control officer need not determine the title, specific words or artist. A officer standing at the line therefore needs only the thump, not the song.

Section 635-6(B)(5) applies that test to personal or commercial vehicular music amplification or reproduction equipment: it cannot be operated so as to be plainly audible at a residential property line between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Section 635-6(B)(6) covers personal or commercial music amplification equipment generally at a 50-foot test, in any direction from the operator, between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., and prohibits food-vending and ice cream trucks from playing jingles while stationary, so jingles are allowed only while the vehicle is in motion. Both paragraphs were amended on 7-15-2021 by BOH Ord. No. 02-2021. Section 635-6(B)(7) adds a rule for self-contained, portable, hand-held equipment on a public space or public right-of-way: not plainly audible at 50 feet from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and not plainly audible by anyone other than the operator from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

The numeric route also reaches low frequencies. Table II in § 635-5 lists maximum octave band sound pressure levels in decibels for center frequencies from 31.5 Hz up to 8,000 Hz, and a source is in violation if it equals or exceeds the level in one or more octave bands. Section 635-6(B)(8) applies Tables I and II between residential units in the same multi-dwelling-unit building, measured indoors. Separately, Chapter 380 of the Township Council's code, § 380-1(B), makes music plainly audible at 100 feet from the building, structure, vehicle or place between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. prima facie evidence of a violation.