Bronx County, NY Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Noise emissions from loud vehicle engines or mufflers, music and horns can impinge on the quality of life in New York City. [...] 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 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. [...] 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.