Mount Vernon, NY Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential daytime (8am-8pm)
- 65 db(A) max
- Residential nighttime (8pm-8am)
- 55 db(A) max
- Commercial/retail districts
- 65 db(A) max, no time split
- Manufacturing districts
- 70 db(A) max, 24 hours
- Impulsive/tonal noise
- Limit cut by 5 decibels
- Enforced by
- Mount Vernon Police Department
Summary
Mount Vernon's Noise Control Ordinance sets numeric decibel ceilings for every zoning district, tighter at night in residential areas and looser in manufacturing zones. Impulsive or tonal noise gets a five-decibel penalty added to whatever limit applies.
§ 178-4.14. Limitations in zoning districts; construction sites; noise-sensitive zones. No person shall operate or permit to be operated in a zoning district, as defined in the Mount Vernon Zoning Ordinance, ... any device that produces a sound level exceeding the limitations in this section... A. Residential zoned district. (1) During the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., noise levels within any residential zoned district shall not exceed 65 db(A) or an L10 in excess of 60 db(A). (2) During the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., noise levels within any residential zoned district shall not exceed 55 db(A) or an L10 in excess of 50 db(A). (3) The sound levels specified in Subsection A(1) and (2) shall be decreased by five decibels if the sound contains impulsive or discrete tone characteristics. B. Commercial zoned district. Noise levels within any commercial/retail zoned districts shall not exceed 65 db (A) or an L10 of 60 db(A). C. Manufacturing zoned district. (1) Noise levels within any manufacturing zoned districts shall not exceed 70 db(A) for a duration of 24 hours per day.
Full Breakdown
m. Subsection A(3) cuts those limits by five decibels further if the noise carries impulsive or discrete-tone characteristics, such as a repetitive clang or whine. Commercial and retail districts are capped at 65 db(A) or an L10 of 60 db(A) with no day/night split. Manufacturing districts may run up to 70 db(A) around the clock, but a manufacturing operation cannot push sound past an L10 of 60 db(A) at the boundary of a residential district (65 db(A) if the manufacturing zone is M-3), or past 65 db(A) at a commercial district boundary.
Noise-sensitive zones adjacent to a school, church, senior center, day-care center or hospital are held to 55 db(A) on the street, sidewalk or public place while in use. Measurements are taken with an A-scale sound-level meter at the property line in a residential district or at the boundary of the receiving land-use district. 17 puts the Police Department in charge of enforcement, with authority to order an immediate cease-and-desist or, with a judicial order, seal a noisy device. 15 lets a person seek a hardship permit from the City Clerk if compliance isn't reasonably possible and the noise source is temporary.
Violations & Fines
Section 178-4.18 makes any violation of the noise article punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of up to 15 days, or both, with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense. The Police Department can also order an immediate stop to the activity under § 178-4.17, and, after a judicial order, seal the offending device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum noise level allowed at night in a Mount Vernon residential zone?
Are manufacturing zones allowed to be louder than residential zones?
Who enforces Mount Vernon's noise decibel limits and what can they do?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mount Vernon
New York rules heatmap·Compare Mount Vernon to another location·View the New York noise ordinances overview
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