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

Section 147-8 of the Township Code is the Township's low-frequency rule. Instead of the A-weighted limits in Tables I and II, it regulates sound production devices by how much they raise the sound level inside a complainant's home. Section 147-2 defines a sound production device as any device whose primary function is the production of sound, including a musical instrument, loudspeaker, radio, television, digital or analog music player, public address system or sound-amplifying equipment. No person can operate such a device so that it crosses a property line and raises the total sound level above the neighborhood residual sound level by more than the Table IV limits, measured within the residence of a complainant under the § 147-6(B) protocol, with the sound level meter set for C weighting and fast response. Table IV, titled the maximum permissible increase in total sound levels within a residential property, prints limits of 3 dB(C) and 6 dB(C) across its week night, weekend night and all other times periods.

C weighting is what makes this a bass rule. Section 147-2 defines dBC as the sound level measured with the C weighting network and states that the C weighting network is more sensitive to low frequencies than the A weighting network. The same section's definition of plainly audible says that when the source is a portable or vehicular sound amplification or reproduction device, detecting the rhythmic bass component of the music is sufficient to verify plainly audible sound, and the officer need not identify the title, words or artist.

Section 147-6(B) takes indoor measurements at least three feet from any wall, floor or ceiling, and all sound sources within the dwelling unit, such as a television or stereo, must be shut off when total sound is measured. Vehicle stereos have distance tests under § 147-10(C) and (D): not plainly audible at 25 feet between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., and not plainly audible at 50 feet between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Section 147-10 treats a violation of each of its paragraphs as purposeful and therefore non-minor. The octave band limits in Table III of § 147-7 also reach down to the 31.5 Hz band.