Glen Cove, NY Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Nighttime audibility limit
- 50 feet, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays
- Weekend/holiday window
- 11 p.m. to 9 a.m.
- Muffler requirement
- Required on all vehicle exhausts
- Enforcing agencies
- Building Dept. Administrator and Glen Cove Police
- Fine range
- $1,000 to $2,000, first offense
Summary
Glen Cove's noise code bans loud car stereos and unmuffled exhausts alike. A radio or sound system audible 50 feet away between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weeknights, or 11 p.m. and 9 a.m. on weekends and holidays, is a violation on its face, and every vehicle exhaust must run through a working muffler.
A. Radios, phonographs, television sets. The using, operating or permitting to be played, used or operated of any television or radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph or other machine or device for producing or reproducing of sound in such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring inhabitants or of the person or persons who are in the room, vehicle, chamber or area in which such machine or device is operated and who are voluntary listeners thereto. The operation of any such instrument, phonograph, machine or device between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 11:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sunday and holidays in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the building, structure, vehicle or area in which it is located shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section. ... F. Exhausts. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal-combustion engine, motorboat or motor vehicle except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5003439; v76 updated 2026-08-26; through 08-26-2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 196-4(A) targets radios, phonographs and similar sound equipment operated inside a vehicle (the section lists 'room, vehicle, chamber or area') in a manner that disturbs the peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring inhabitants. m. on Saturday, Sunday and holidays, so that it is plainly audible 50 feet from the vehicle or area, is prima facie evidence of a violation, meaning the City does not need separate proof of disturbance once that threshold is met. Section 196-4(F) covers the other half of vehicle noise: engine and exhaust noise.
It requires that the exhaust of any stationary internal-combustion engine, motorboat or motor vehicle discharge through a muffler or other device that effectively prevents loud or explosive noise, so a car, truck or boat running without a functioning muffler is a violation regardless of the time of day. Both provisions sit inside Chapter 196's general prohibition on 'unreasonable noise' at § 196-3, and both are enforced by the Building Department Administrator and the Glen Cove City Police under § 196-15, with fines set at § 196-16.
Violations & Fines
A violation of either the vehicle-stereo or muffler rule under Chapter 196 is punishable, per § 196-16, by a fine of $1,000 to $2,000, imprisonment of up to 15 days, or both. Each day the violation continues is a separate offense, and an affected property owner or occupant can also sue the violator directly for damages, an injunction or attorneys' fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can my car stereo be in Glen Cove at night?
Is driving with a loud aftermarket exhaust illegal in Glen Cove?
Who enforces Glen Cove's vehicle noise rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glen Cove
New York rules heatmap·Compare Glen Cove to another location·View the New York noise ordinances overview
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