Hackensack, NJ Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Impulsive sound cap, daytime
- 80 decibels, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Impulsive sound cap, nighttime
- 80 decibels, under 4x/hour
- General limits
- Tables I-III, vary by zone and time
- Measurement standard
- ANSI S1.4-1983 sound level meter
- Max civil penalty
- $2,000 per day, § 112-11
Summary
Hackensack caps sound at the real property line under City Code § 112-7, which applies the decibel tables in Tables I through III to every listed source and receiving property. Impulsive sound, such as a bang or slam, cannot equal or exceed 80 decibels between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., or occur more than three times an hour overnight before it is treated as continuous sound under the same tables.
§ 112-7. Maximum permissible sound levels. ... No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation of any source of sound on any source property listed in § 112-3A above in such a manner as to create a sound level that equals or exceeds the sound level limits set forth in Tables I, II or III ... when measured at or within the real property line of any of the receiving properties listed in Tables I, II or III except as specified in § 112-6B. ... Impulsive sound. Between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., impulsive sound shall not equal or exceed 80 decibels. Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., impulsive sound which occurs less than four times in any hour shall not equal or exceed 80 decibels. Impulsive sound which repeats four or more times in any hour shall be measured as continuous sound and shall meet the requirements as shown in Tables I and II.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4592721; v20 updated 2026-01-06; through 01-06-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 112-7 of Chapter 112 is the operative decibel cap for Hackensack: no person may operate a sound source in a way that equals or exceeds the sound level limits in Tables I, II or III, measured at or within the real property line of any receiving property listed in those tables. The tables, adopted as Attachment 1 to the chapter, set A-weighted decibel maximums that vary by the zoning category of both the source property and the receiving property, and by time of day, splitting daytime from nighttime hours; a nearby outdoor cafe permit even cross-references "Table I, Maximum Permissible A-Weighted Sound Levels When Measured Outdoors" when deciding whether patron speakers can run.
m. , but only if the impulsive sound occurs fewer than four times in an hour; once it repeats four or more times in an hour, the code stops treating it as impulsive and measures it as continuous sound against the ordinary Tables I and II limits instead, which are typically lower at night. 4-1983 standards, with indoor readings taken at least three feet from any wall, floor or ceiling.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the Table I-III limits or the 80-decibel impulsive sound cap is enforced under § 112-11: a first, minor violation typically draws a notice of violation with up to 90 days to voluntarily correct it under the state Grace Period Law, while a nonminor or repeat violation draws a notice of penalty assessment with a civil fine of up to $2,000 per day, appealable to municipal court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hackensack's decibel limit for a loud bang or slam?
Where does Hackensack measure noise for a decibel violation?
Do Hackensack's decibel limits change based on the time of day?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hackensack
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