White Plains, NY Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

DEP’s Bureau of Environmental Compliance enforces the Noise Code, which prohibits excessive vehicle noise. Due to the transient nature of vehicle noise, inspectors in the field could only ticket a small percentage of the vehicles that were in violation. The Noise Camera Program was initiated to capture the identity of the vehicle while the noise is actually occurring, without an inspector onsite. Each noise camera is equipped with a high-definition video camera and audio sensor array that are triggered by vehicles that exceed pre-defined noise limits. The angle and placement of the camera allow the license plate to be recorded, but prevent the interior of the vehicle, including the occupants, from being visible on the video. Download the 2025 Annual Report for Noise Camera Enforcement Program Download the 2024 Annual Report for Noise Camera Enforcement Program Regulatory Background The Noise Code is codified in Chapter 2 of Title 24 of the NYC Administrative Code . The Noise Code authorizes DEP to enforce provisions dictating limits on noise from vehicles. For vehicles with loud exhaust/mufflers these limits are laid out in §24-236 of the Administrative Code. Penalties Noise Code summonses are adjudicated at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings and if found in violation, penalties will result. The specific penalties for the violations captured by these noise cameras are:

Section 24-236(e), muffler noise, has a minimum penalty of $800 and a maximum penalty of $2,625, including the default penalty.

Section 24-237(a), non-emergency horn honking, has a minimum penalty of $350 and a maximum penalty of $3,000, including the default penalty.

Section 24-233(b)(2), vehicle music, has a minimum penalty of $140 and a maximum penalty of $1,050, including the default penalty.

Section 24-225, noise from compactor on refuse collection vehicles, has a minimum penalty of $700 and a maximum penalty of $4,200, including the default penalty.