Haverford, PA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Frequency bands
- Eight bands, 20 to 10,000 cycles per second
- Daytime inside limit range
- 73 down to 47 decibels
- Nighttime inside limit range
- 69 down to 42 decibels
- Outside limit range
- 76 down to 52 decibels, same day and night
- Sporadic noise
- 57 decibels daytime, 52 nighttime, 600 to 1,200 band
- Maximum fine
- $1,000 plus costs
Summary
Haverford Township, Pennsylvania, sets numeric noise limits in § 117-3 as maximum sound pressure levels in eight frequency bands from 20 to 10,000 cycles per second. Separate tables cover daytime and nighttime hours, and each has an inside column and an outside column depending on where the source of complaint originates. The limits are not tied to zoning districts.
A. During daytime hours, the maximum permissible sound pressure levels at specified points of measurement for continuous noise radiated from premises shall not exceed the following: Sound Pressure Level (decibels re 0.0002 microbar) Frequency Band (cycles per second) Inside Table Outside Table 20 – 75 73 76 75 – 150 66 69 150 – 300 60 64 300 – 600 55 59 600 – 1,200 52 57 1,200 – 2,400 50 55 2,400 – 4,800 48 53 4,800 – 10,000 47 52 B. During nighttime hours, the maximum permissible sound pressure levels at specified points of measurement for continuous noise radiated from premises shall not exceed the following: Sound Pressure Level (decibels re 0.0002 microbar) Frequency Band (cycles persecond) Inside Table Outside Table 20 – 75 69 76 75 – 150 62 69 150 – 300 56 64 300 – 600 50 59 600 – 1,200 47 57 1,200 – 2,400 45 55 2,400 – 4,800 43 53 4,800 – 10,000 42 52
Full Breakdown
Section 117-3A sets the daytime limits and § 117-3B the nighttime limits for continuous noise radiated from premises. Each table lists eight bands, from 20 to 75 cycles per second up to 4,800 to 10,000, with a limit in decibels re 0.0002 microbar. Daytime hours are 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and nighttime hours are 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. under § 117-1.
The inside table is used when the source originates inside a building: the microphone goes three feet from the nearest window in the room and not less than three feet above the floor. The outside table is used when the source originates outside: the microphone goes at the source of the complaint, no closer than three feet to any wall and not less than three feet above the ground.
The printed numbers show how the limits move. The daytime inside table runs from 73 in the lowest band down to 47 in the highest, and the nighttime inside table runs from 69 down to 42. The outside table reads 76, 69, 64, 59, 57, 55, 53 and 52 in both the daytime and nighttime tables, so the nighttime drop applies to inside readings only.
Section 117-4 adds a rule for sporadic noise, measured in the 600 to 1,200 cycles per second band: no more than 57 decibels in daylight hours and 52 decibels in nighttime hours. Section 117-5 requires a sound-level meter with an octave band analyzer. Section 117-6 exempts traffic noise, governmental and emergency noise, and construction or repair noise between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Section 117-2 frames the chapter around air conditioning and mechanical equipment, and the Director of Code Enforcement administers it.
Violations & Fines
Under § 117-7, a violation is a summary offense before a District Justice of the Peace, with a fine not exceeding $1,000 and costs of prosecution. A violator who does not pay can be sentenced to the county jail for not more than 90 days. Each day in violation is a separate offense. Equipment found over the limits must stop under § 117-3E until the Director of Code Enforcement approves the correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Haverford Township set one decibel number for the whole day?
Is the outside limit lower at night?
What limit applies to a short, sporadic noise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Haverford
Compare Haverford to another location·View the Pennsylvania noise ordinances overview
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