Howell, NJ Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Howell Township Code § 208-7A bars any person from operating a source of sound on a source property in a way that creates a sound level that equals or exceeds the limits in Tables I, II or III at or within the real property line of the receiving property. Source properties under § 208-3A run from industrial and commercial facilities to residential properties, public and private rights-of-way, public spaces and multidwelling unit buildings. Receiving properties under § 208-3B are commercial, public service and community service facilities, residential properties, multiuse properties and multidwelling unit buildings.

Table I applies outdoors. A residential property, or the residential portion of a multiuse property, is capped at 65 dB from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 50 dB from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. A commercial facility, public service facility, nonresidential portion of a multiuse property or community service facility is capped at 65 dB for 24 hours. Table II applies indoors: 55 dB by day and 40 dB at night for residential, and 55 dB for 24 hours for commercial or nonresidential space. Table II applies only when the source and receptor are separated by a real property line and also share a common or abutting wall, floor or ceiling, or are on the same parcel.

Impulsive sound has its own rule in § 208-7B. Between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. it cannot equal or exceed 80 decibels. Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., impulsive sound that occurs less than four times in any hour cannot equal or exceed 80 decibels, and impulsive sound that repeats four or more times in any hour is measured as continuous sound and must meet Tables I and II. Table III adds octave band limits.

Measurements by a Noise Control Officer follow N.J.A.C. 7:29-2, and indoor readings are taken at least three feet from any wall, floor or ceiling (§ 208-6). Section 208-4 exempts the sources listed at N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.5, and construction and demolition are exempt from Tables I, II and III except as § 208-9 provides.