Morris County, NJ Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime cap
- 65 dBA (7 a.m.-10 p.m.)
- Nighttime cap
- 50 dBA (10 p.m.-7 a.m.)
- Impulsive sound
- 80 dBA maximum
- Source
- N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.2
- Measured by
- Certified noise officer
Summary
New Jersey's Noise Control Act sets the decibel limits used across Morris County: continuous sound at a residential property line may not exceed 65 dBA from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. or 50 dBA from 10 p.m.-7 a.m. Towns enforce it.
No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit sound... that, when measured at any residential property line of any affected person, is in excess of any of the following: 1. From 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.: ...in excess of 65 dBA; 2. From 10:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. ...in excess of 50 dBA.
Full Breakdown
There is no separate Morris County decibel standard. The numbers come from N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.2, the statewide Noise Control Act, which every New Jersey municipality adopts and enforces. Measured at any residential property line of an affected person, continuous airborne sound may not exceed 65 dBA during the day (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) or 50 dBA at night (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.). Impulsive sound is capped at 80 dBA. The rule also lists octave-band pressure limits. Measurement must follow the state test procedures (N.J.A.C. 7:29-2) by a certified noise officer. Local ordinances in Township of Morris and Parsippany-Troy Hills mirror these figures.
Violations & Fines
A certified municipal noise-control officer measures the level per N.J.A.C. 7:29-2 and issues a summons under the local ordinance; fines are set by the town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What decibel level is a violation in Morris County?
Who can legally measure the noise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Morris County
Compare Morris County to another location·View the New Jersey noise ordinances overview
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