Stafford Township, NJ Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)

Section 142-6C(8) of the Stafford Township Code governs self-contained, portable, hand-held music or sound amplification or reproduction equipment, such as a portable speaker or boom box. On a public space or public right-of-way, it cannot be operated so as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet in any direction from the operator between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., sound from such equipment cannot be plainly audible by any person other than the operator.

The test is set by the definition in § 142-2. Plainly audible means any sound that can be detected by a person using his or her unaided hearing faculties. For a portable or personal sound amplification device, detecting the rhythmic bass component of the music is sufficient, and the noise control officer need not determine the title, specific words or the artist performing the song. No meter is needed. Public space means any real property or structures on it that are owned, leased or controlled by a governmental entity, and public right-of-way means any street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, sidewalk, alley or easement owned, leased or controlled by a governmental entity.

Other amplified sound is handled elsewhere in Chapter 142. Vehicle stereos are covered by § 142-6C(6) and (7), and residential units in the same multi-dwelling-unit building cannot exceed the Table I and II levels between units under § 142-6C(9). Amplified sound from a house, yard or business is measured against Table I in § 142-5D, which holds a residential receiver to 65 dB from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 50 dB from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. outdoors, and a commercial or public service receiver to 65 dB over 24 hours. Section 153-9 separately prohibits unreasonably loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise in the Township.