Mahwah Code Ch. BH11 (Sanitation & Miscellaneous Regulations) declares loud and unnecessary noise disturbing the public peace a nuisance prohibited at all times. NJDEP N.J.A.C. 7:29 decibel limits apply (50 dBA night, 65 dBA day at residential property lines, 10 p.m.–7 a.m.).
The Township of Mahwah does not impose a single fixed local quiet-hours window in its Code; instead, it relies on a nuisance-style noise standard combined with the New Jersey state noise regulations. Chapter BH11 (Sanitation and Miscellaneous Regulations) of the Mahwah Code declares that loud and unnecessary noise which disturbs the public peace, including unnecessary horn blowing, gongs, bells, barking dogs, and similar disturbances, is a nuisance and prohibited at all times. Chapter 3 (Police Regulations) further prohibits the operation of motorized sport bikes in any manner that creates loud and unnecessary noise so as to unreasonably disturb persons in the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of their property. Because Mahwah does not have a separate NJDEP-approved decibel-based local noise ordinance on the master list, the New Jersey Noise Control regulations at N.J.A.C. 7:29 govern measurable continuous airborne sound: 50 dBA at residential property lines between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (nighttime), and 65 dBA between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. (daytime). Construction and lawn equipment that is uniquely loud is generally expected to be limited to reasonable daytime hours; complaints are handled by the Mahwah Police Department non-emergency line, with code enforcement and the Health Department assisting on persistent issues. Penalties for nuisance-style violations are set by the Township general penalty provisions in Chapter 1 of the Code.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle quiet hours.
See how Mahwah's quiet hours rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.