Scranton, PA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in Scranton, PA, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Key Facts
- Weekday/Saturday curfew
- 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
- Sunday/holiday curfew
- 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.
- Daytime sound cap
- 85 dB(A) at property line
- Exceptions
- Public safety emergencies, variances
- Max fine
- $600 per violation
Summary
Scranton limits construction, drilling and demolition noise to daytime hours: work disturbing a residential property line is barred from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. on Sundays and holidays. Outside those hours, noise is still capped at 85 dB(A) at the property line unless a variance is obtained.
Construction. Operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling or demolition work: (a) Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. the following day on weekdays and Saturdays or between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Sundays and holidays, such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a residential real property line, except for public safety emergency work or unless a variance has been obtained. (b) At any other time such that the sound level exceeds 85 dB(A) at or across a real property boundary unless a variance has been obtained.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4719898; v25 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
§ 317-7A(13) of the City Code lists construction noise among the acts specifically declared a noise disturbance under Chapter 317. on Sundays and holidays, whenever the sound crosses a residential property line, with two carve-outs: public safety emergency work and work covered by a variance. Subsection (b) applies the rest of the time: even inside permitted daytime hours, construction noise cannot exceed 85 dB(A) measured at or across a real property boundary unless the contractor has obtained a variance. Enforcement follows the rest of the chapter: under § 317-10, a police officer or code enforcement personnel can issue a citation immediately, or first order abatement within a period not exceeding 30 days, and under § 317-11A a conviction carries a fine of up to $600 or up to 30 days imprisonment, with every additional day of continued construction noise counted as a separate offense. cutoff as a homeowner running a lawnmower.
Violations & Fines
Violating either the curfew in § 317-7A(13)(a) or the 85 dB(A) daytime cap in § 317-7A(13)(b) is punishable under § 317-11A by a fine of up to $600 per violation or imprisonment up to 30 days, and each day the noise continues is a separate offense. The Bureau of Police can cite a contractor directly or first issue an abatement order under § 317-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a contractor work past 10 p.m. with a variance?
Is there a decibel limit during allowed daytime hours?
What hours apply on holidays?
Does emergency repair work need a variance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Scranton
How Scranton compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·Compare Scranton to another location·View the Pennsylvania noise ordinances overview
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