New York, NY Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Section 24-222 ('After hours and weekend limits on construction work') provides that, except as otherwise provided in the subchapter, it is unlawful to engage in or cause or permit any person to engage in construction work other than on weekdays between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. A narrow exception allows construction in connection with the alteration or repair of an existing one- or two-family owner-occupied dwelling (occupancy group J-3), or a convent or rectory, on Saturdays and Sundays between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., provided the dwelling is more than 300 feet from a house of worship. Any other work before 7 a.m., after 6 p.m. on weekdays, or on weekends requires an after-hours authorization from the Department of Buildings or Department of Transportation under Sec. 24-223, available only for emergency work, work that cannot be done during normal hours, qualifying City projects, minimal-noise activities, or a certified undue-hardship claim with an approved alternative noise mitigation plan. Separately, Sec. 24-220 requires every contractor to adopt and implement a noise mitigation plan for each construction site, which must be on site and is reviewed if complaints arise. Containers and construction material handling that exceeds ambient by more than 10 dB measured 15 feet from the source is prohibited.