Bronx County Decibel Limits Rules (2026) — What You Need to Know

Unlike many jurisdictions that set fixed decibel limits by zoning district, New York City's Noise Code uses a relative measurement approach. Under § 24-218, the standard is always tied to the ambient sound level at the specific location and time. This means a neighborhood in the quieter northern Bronx near Van Cortlandt Park effectively has a lower absolute noise threshold than a busy stretch of the Grand Concourse, because the ambient baseline differs.

Measurements are taken either at any point within the receiving property (the property affected by the noise) or at a distance of 15 feet or more from the source on a public right-of-way. The distinction between impulsive and non-impulsive sound matters: short, sharp sounds like a single bang are treated differently from sustained noise like a generator or amplified music.

The Noise Code also sets absolute limits for specific sources. Commercial establishment music must not exceed 45 dBA as measured inside a residential receiving property between 10 PM and 7 AM. Vehicle alarms may not sound for more than three minutes continuously. NYC has deployed automated noise cameras in select locations throughout the city, including the Bronx, to enforce muffler noise (§ 24-236(e)) and non-emergency horn honking (§ 24-237(a)) violations. These cameras issue automated summonses with fines ranging from $800 to $3,000.