Clifton, NJ Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Engine-revving nighttime curfew
- 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
- Presumption-of-violation distance
- audible at 100 feet
- Vehicle stereo nighttime curfew
- 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
- Vehicle stereo daytime audibility limit
- 50 feet from vehicle
- Vehicle loudspeakers for ads
- require Police Dept. permit
- Maximum revving fine
- $1,250 plus 90 days jail
Summary
Clifton bans revving a parked vehicle's engine between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. if it disturbs the neighborhood, with a rebuttable presumption of a violation once the sound carries 100 feet. Vehicle stereos face their own overnight curfew, and truck-mounted loudspeakers need a police permit at any hour.
It shall be unlawful to excessively rev the engine of any truck, car, motorcycle or other motor vehicle, by depressing or engaging the accelerator while parked, so as to unreasonably disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. If such sound is audible at a point 100 feet from the source, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the within section is violated.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4963532; v64 updated 2026-07-21; through 07-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
" If the sound is audible 100 feet from the source, the section creates a rebuttable presumption the law was broken, shifting the burden to the driver to disprove it. m. Truck- or vehicle-mounted loudspeakers used for advertising or commercial purposes are separately prohibited outright under § 332-6 unless the operator first obtains a specific license or permit from the Police Department. Chapter 332 was adopted 8-3-2011 by Ord. No. 6974-11, and the vehicular-amplification rules in Chapter 327 were adopted in that chapter's entirety by Ord. No. 6213-01 on 7-3-2001. Both chapters are enforced by the Police Department or certified Noise Control Officers.
Violations & Fines
Violating the engine-revving rule under § 332-7 is punishable under § 332-13 by a fine up to $1,250 and up to 90 days of jail or community service. Violating the vehicular music amplification curfews in § 327-6B(6)-(7) carries a civil penalty of up to $2,000 per offense under § 327-7B, with each continuing day a separate offense; running a vehicle loudspeaker without a Police Department permit under § 332-6 is a separate nuisance violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can police cite me for revving my engine at night in Clifton?
How loud can my car stereo be during the day?
Can a business drive a truck with a loudspeaker through Clifton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clifton
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