Colonie, NY Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Colonie does not adopt a separate construction-noise chapter; instead Section 135-4 of the Town Code (Prohibited Acts) reaches construction equipment through two prongs. First, the equipment ban: 'No person shall cause or permit to be caused noise from power tools, lawn mowers, leaf blowers or agricultural equipment when operated on a residential property between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.' Second, the property-line decibel limit: 65 dBA (residential/commercial) or 75 dBA (industrial) during the protected nighttime windows (10 p.m.-7 a.m. Sun-Thu; 11 p.m.-7 a.m. Fri-Sat). The Building and Fire Services Department, which administers the NYS Uniform Code and Town zoning, publishes a customary 7:00 a.m. weekday start in its permit and inspection materials. Section 135-5 supplies the exceptions: noise from construction, repair, or demolition performed by or on behalf of a governmental entity is exempt, as is emergency work to preserve public safety, property, or essential services. New York State preemption is limited: the Uniform Code (19 NYCRR) governs building safety, but noise during construction remains a local matter. Contractors are independently bound by N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 375(31) (muffler requirements) for trucks and equipment licensed for highway use, and by OSHA Section 1926.52 hearing-conservation rules on the work site itself.