New Haven, CT Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Section 18-78 lists exemptions from the noise-level standards in Sec. 18-75, and subsection (1) covers construction equipment specifically: noise from construction equipment is exempt only when the equipment runs between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Sundays. Outside that window, the contractor needs sign-off from the building official or the director of the Department of Public Works before running equipment, and the application for that after-hours approval must be filed at least seven days before the date requested. The city may condition approval on an advance payment covering the actual cost of inspection services needed to monitor the work.

'Construction' is defined in Sec. 18-73 as any site preparation, assembly, erection, substantial repair, alteration or similar work on public or private rights-of-way, structures, utilities or similar property. Demolition is defined and treated separately under subsection (5) of Sec. 18-78, which carries the same 7 a.m.-10 p.m./9 a.m.-9 p.m. window but adds an outright exemption at any hour for demolition that qualifies as emergency work. 'Construction equipment' covers any fuel-, electric-, air- or hydraulically-operated equipment or device used in construction or demolition.

Work that runs outside the permitted hours without the required approval is enforced as a violation of the noise article generally: Sec. 18-82 authorizes a fine up to the maximum amount allowed by state statute or city code per occurrence, with each day of continued violation treated as a separate offense, and the city's health director or chief of police may inspect the site and take sound measurements to document the violation.