Edison, NJ Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Three layers govern vehicle noise in Edison. (1) New Jersey's motor-vehicle muffler statute, N.J.S.A. 39:3-70, requires every motor vehicle to be equipped with a muffler 'in good working order' and prohibits any modification that increases the noise level above the original-equipment standard - this is enforced by Edison Police on any public roadway. (2) The statewide diesel-idling rule at N.J.A.C. 7:27-14.3 prohibits idling of a diesel-powered motor vehicle for more than 3 consecutive minutes when the vehicle is not in motion, with narrow exceptions for ambient temperatures below 25 degrees F (15 minutes after a 3-hour stop), active passenger pick-up by buses (15 minutes in any 60), and idling in traffic queues. Gasoline-vehicle idling is also capped at 3 minutes under N.J.A.C. 7:27-15.8. (3) The local Edison §12-27 noise ordinance applies to vehicle noise that exceeds the N.J.A.C. 7:29 decibel limits at adjacent residential property lines, particularly during the 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. nighttime window - this catches loud car stereos at the curb, modified-exhaust 'rolling coal' style vehicles, and prolonged horn-honking. Commercial trucks (delivery, refuse, landscaping) are frequent targets because their early-morning operation runs up against the nighttime cap.