Clifton, NJ Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)

Clifton Code § 327-6B(1) treats leaf blowers and other yard maintenance tools as "landscaping and yard maintenance equipment" and bans noncommercial or nonindustrial use of them between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. unless the equipment can meet the decibel limits in the chapter's Tables I and II; outside those hours, the decibel tables simply do not apply to homeowner yard work. Every motorized blower, mower, edger or trimmer used in these activities must be run with a working muffler. Commercial and industrial landscaping crews get a separate, stricter rule under § 327-6B(2): they cannot run power tools or yard equipment on residential property, or within 250 feet of a residential property line while working commercial or industrial land, between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays or between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends and federal holidays, unless they can meet the Table I/II limits; even outside those windows, commercial crews on commercial or industrial property still must meet the tables between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Emergency work is exempt. The chapter is enforced by certified Noise Control Officers under § 327-4, who investigate complaints and issue enforcement documents under N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.6 procedures, with a right to a Municipal Court hearing. This structure was adopted in its entirety by Ord. No. 6213-01 on 7-3-2001.