Irvington, NJ Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Township Code § 397-3
- Daytime limit (8am-8pm)
- 65 decibels
- Nighttime limit (8pm-8am)
- 50 decibels
- Above-background test
- 10 dB over ambient
- Minimum floor
- 40 dB day / 30 dB night
Summary
Irvington caps measurable noise at 65 decibels between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., dropping to 50 decibels between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., or 10 decibels above the existing background level, whichever governs at the point of complaint. The floor never requires reduction below 40 dB daytime or 30 dB nighttime under Township Code § 397-3.
No person shall use or operate any facility, machine or instrumentality, or produce or cause to be produced any sound in the Town, when the same shall produce noise, the sound-pressure level of which measured at the point of annoyance complained of shall exceed 65 decibels between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. or 50 decibels between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., or that which shall be more than 10 decibels above the existing background sound level, as measured on the A-weighting of a sound-level meter which conforms to the specifications of the United States of America Standards Institute. ... In no instance, however, shall it be necessary to reduce the noise level below 40 decibels between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. or 30 decibels between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4996945; v39 updated 2026-07-13; through 07-13-2026).
Full Breakdown
, or exceeds the existing background sound level by more than 10 decibels, whichever standard applies. Readings are taken on the A-weighting scale of a sound-level meter conforming to United States of America Standards Institute specifications, and "background sound level" is defined as the level present when the offending source is silenced. The section also sets a floor: no violator can be required to reduce noise below 40 decibels during the day or 30 decibels at night, even if the source is louder than ambient.
The decibel standard applies only where the sound is capable of measurement and does not limit any other part of the noise article, meaning the enumerated prohibited-noise list in § 397-2 (horns, loudspeakers, vehicle stereos, construction hours, night idling, and more) still applies independently even absent a decibel reading. Enforcement runs through § 397-6, covering public law enforcement officers, the officers who issue noise permits, and the Code Enforcement Officer, with violations of §§ 397-1 through 397-2 penalized under the general Chapter 1 penalty schedule.
Violations & Fines
A measured exceedance of the 65/50 dB thresholds (or the 10 dB above-background test) in § 397-3 is enforced as a violation of the noise article under Chapter 1, Article III, Penalties, of the Township Code. Enforcement authority rests with the Code Enforcement Officer and public law enforcement officers under § 397-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Irvington's daytime noise limit in decibels?
What is Irvington's nighttime noise limit?
Is there a minimum noise floor a source can't be forced below in Irvington?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Irvington
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