Howell, NJ Noise from Specific Sources: Low-Frequency Bass Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- 31.5 Hz, residential outdoors
- 96 dB by day, 86 dB at night
- 63 Hz, residential outdoors
- 82 dB by day, 71 dB at night
- 31.5 Hz, residential indoors
- 86 dB by day, 76 dB at night
- Day and night periods
- 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Sound production devices
- Measured on "C" weighting, "fast" response (§ 208-8)
- Civil penalty
- Not more than $2,000 per offense, each day separate
Summary
Howell Township's noise chapter sets octave band limits that start at the 31.5 Hz and 63 Hz bands, the range where bass is carried. For a residential receiving property measured outdoors, the 31.5 Hz band is capped at 96 dB from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 86 dB overnight; the 63 Hz band is capped at 82 dB and 71 dB. Stereos are also measured on a C-weighted scale.
Table III Maximum Permissible Octave Band Sound Pressure Levels in Decibels Receiving Property Category Residential property, or residential portion of a multiuse property Residential property, or residential portion of a multiuse property Commercial facility, public service facility, nonresidential portion of a multiuse property, or community service facility Commercial facility or non-residential portion of a multiuse property Outdoors Indoors Outdoors Indoors Octave Band Center Frequency, Hz. Octave Band Sound Pressure Level, dB Octave Band Sound Pressure Level, dB Octave Band Sound Pressure Level, dB Octave Band Sound Pressure Level, dB Time 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 24 hours 24 hours 31.5 96 86 86 76 96 86 63 82 71 72 61 82 72
Full Breakdown
Chapter 208, Noise, of the Howell Township code reaches bass through two provisions. The first is Table III in § 208-7, which sets maximum octave band sound pressure levels in decibels, starting with the lowest bands. The second is § 208-8 on sound production devices.
Table III lists the 31.5 Hz and 63 Hz bands first. For a residential receiving property measured outdoors, the 31.5 Hz band is capped at 96 dB from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 86 dB from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; the 63 Hz band is capped at 82 dB and 71 dB. Measured indoors at a residence, 31.5 Hz is capped at 86 dB by day and 76 dB at night, and 63 Hz at 72 dB and 61 dB. Commercial, public service and community service receivers have 24-hour columns: outdoors 96 dB at 31.5 Hz and 82 dB at 63 Hz, and indoors 86 dB and 72 dB. A source violates § 208-7A when it creates a sound level that equals or exceeds the limit at or within the real property line of the receiving property. The note under the table says octave measurements require sound that is constant in level and character, and the measurement is discontinued if band levels vary by more than plus or minus 2 dB in the bands containing the principal source frequencies.
Section 208-8 is the subwoofer and home stereo rule. No person can operate a sound production device so that the sound crosses a property line and raises total sound levels above the neighborhood residual sound level by more than the Table IV limits, measured within the complainant's residence with the meter set for "C" weighting, "fast" response. Table IV prints the permitted increase in dB(C) for weeknights (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.), weekend nights (11:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.) and all other times. Indoor readings are taken at least three feet from any wall, floor or ceiling (§ 208-6B).
Noise Control Officers take meter readings under N.J.A.C. 7:29-2, while Noise Control Investigators handle cases that do not need a meter, such as plainly audible, time and distance determinations (§ 208-5).
Violations & Fines
Under § 208-11, a Noise Control Officer or Investigator issues a notice of violation (NOV) or a notice of penalty assessment (NOPA). The civil penalty is not more than $2,000 for each offense, and each day of a continuing violation is a separate offense. A minor violation draws an NOV with up to 90 days to correct. A NOPA recipient is entitled to a hearing in municipal court.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Howell Township measure bass from a stereo or subwoofer?
What are the Table III limits at 63 Hz in Howell Township?
Who takes the readings?
What happens after a first bass complaint is confirmed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howell
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