Passaic, NJ Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Apartment-to-apartment cap
- 45 db day / 40 db night
- Apartment-to-residential cap
- 55 db day / 50 db night
- Cap into commercial property
- 65 db, all times
- Cap into industrial property
- 75 db, all times
- Measurement point
- Receiving property line
- Variance fee
- $50, max 1-year term
Summary
Under Table I of Code of the City of Passaic § 193-12, sound from a unit in a multi-dwelling building is capped at 45 db (7 a.m.–10 p.m.) and 40 db (10 p.m.–7 a.m.) reaching another unit, 55/50 db reaching general residential property, 65 db reaching commercial property and 75 db reaching industrial property, all measured at the receiving property line.
A. No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the operation of any source of sound on a particular category of property or any public space or right-of-way in such a manner as to create a sound level that exceeds the particular sound level limits set forth in Table I, when measured at or within the real property line of the receiving property... TABLE I Maximum Permissible Sound Levels by Receiving Property Category, in db's. Sound Source Property Category. Another Dwelling Within a Multi-dwelling Unit Building; Residential 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 10:00 to 7:00 a.m.; 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; Commercial All Times; Industrial All Times. Any location within a multi-dwelling unit building: 45, 40, 55, 50, 65, 75.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4978046; v41 updated 2026-07-01; through 07-01-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 193-12A states the operative rule: no source of sound on any category of property, public space or right-of-way may exceed the limits set in Table I, measured at or within the real property line of the receiving property; when the receiving point is inside a dwelling unit in a multi-dwelling building, the measurement is taken with all exterior doors and windows closed, at the center of the room. ) into another dwelling in the same building; 55 db daytime and 50 db nighttime into general residential property; a flat 65 db into commercial property at all times; and a flat 75 db into industrial property at all times.
Enforcement is administered by noise control officers under § 193-10, who may issue a summons or, for a non-willful violation, an abatement order requiring the source to come into compliance within a set time (§ 193-16B). A source owner may instead apply to the noise control administrator for a permit of variance under § 193-15, supplying the noise's nature, location and hardship justification; the administrator may charge a $50 processing fee and limit the variance to one year.
Violations & Fines
Under § 193-16C, a violation carries a penalty of up to $1,000 per offense, with a $25-to-$1,000 penalty for willful or knowing violations, and a continuing violation counts each day as a separate, additional offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nighttime noise limit in Passaic?
Who measures noise complaints in Passaic?
Can a business apply to exceed the decibel limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Passaic
Compare Passaic to another location·View the New Jersey noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Decibel Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Passaic County handle decibel limits.