Quiet hours in New York County, NY — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Manhattan enforces NYC Administrative Code Title 24 Chapter 2, limiting interior residential noise to 45 dBA between 10 PM and 7 AM, with NYPD and DEP responding to 311 complaints.
New York County (Manhattan) is governed by the NYC Noise Control Code, NYC Administrative Code Title 24, Chapter 2, one of the strictest and most detailed urban noise ordinances in the United States. The general residential standard prohibits sound that exceeds 45 dBA (A-weighted decibels) as measured inside any affected residence from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM, and 50 dBA during daytime hours. Outside, the impulsive plainly audible standard applies: unreasonable noise that can be heard more than 15 feet from a commercial establishment or 7 feet inside a residence is a violation. Enforcement is split between NYPD (for residential and street noise) and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for commercial, construction, and mechanical equipment. Complaints are filed through 311 online, by phone, or via the 311 mobile app, which forwards tickets to the appropriate agency. Fines start at 75 dollars for a first offense and escalate to 8,000 dollars for commercial repeat violators. Manhattan specific challenges include nightlife corridors in the East Village, Lower East Side, Hells Kitchen, and Midtown, where bars and clubs face tighter scrutiny under Chapter 2.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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