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

Old Bridge Township's Noise Code takes direct aim at bass-heavy stereo noise through its definition of 'plainly audible' at § 300-1. The Code specifies that when investigating a portable or personal vehicular sound system, an officer only needs to detect the rhythmic bass component of the music to establish a plainly audible violation; the officer does not need to identify the song's title, its lyrics, or the performing artist. That definition works together with the distance-and-time standards in § 300-4: under § 300-4G, personal vehicular music amplification equipment cannot be plainly audible 50 feet in any direction from the vehicle between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and under § 300-4F, both personal and commercial vehicular amplification cannot be plainly audible at a residential property line at all between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

Because 'plainly audible' is defined around detecting bass rather than measuring decibels, a low-frequency subwoofer that carries through closed windows or car doors, even at a modest overall volume, can still trigger a citation under this standard. Chapter 300, adopted by Ordinance No. 2010-05, is enforced by the Old Bridge Township Police under § 300-3A, who may refer cases requiring instrument-based sound-level measurement to the Middlesex County Health Department under § 300-3B(6). A conviction defaults to the Code's general penalty at § 1-3, a fine up to $1,250, up to 90 days of imprisonment or community service, or a combination, with each day or instance of the violation potentially charged separately under § 1-4.