Southampton Village, NY Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Vehicle noise
- Moving, stopped or parked vehicles covered by § 77-1 E(3)
- Audibility test
- Plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet
- Carve-out
- Lawful operation of properly equipped vehicles on public ways
- Group presumption
- Rebuttable presumption for those present (§ 77-5)
- Penalty
- Fine up to $2,000, up to 15 days, or both
Summary
In the Village of Southampton, noise emanating from moving, stopped or parked vehicles is listed in § 77-1 as interfering with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property. A sound device playing so it is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the vehicle in which it is located, in a way that disturbs neighbors, also counts as noise pollution.
E. Interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property or the conduct of business. The following are deemed to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property or the conduct of business: ... (2) The using of, operating of or permitting to be played, used or operated any radio, receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, television set or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound in such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants and in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the area, building, structure or vehicle in which it is located. (3) Noise emanating from moving, stopped or parked vehicles.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 77 of the Southampton Village Code does not set a separate vehicle chapter. It works through the definition of noise pollution in § 77-1, and § 77-2A then bars anyone owning, leasing or controlling the operation of any source of noise from permitting the establishment of a condition of noise pollution.
Two items in the definition reach vehicles. Item E(3) deems noise emanating from moving, stopped or parked vehicles to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property or the conduct of business. The definition prints no decibel figure for that item. Item E(2) covers a radio, receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, television set or other machine or device for producing or reproducing sound, used or operated in such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants and in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the area, building, structure or vehicle in which it is located. A car stereo is the clearest fit for that item.
There is one printed carve-out. Section 77-4A(7) excepts the lawful operation of properly equipped motor vehicles on any public way from the § 77-3 decibel standards, and § 77-4B adds that the listed exceptions do not exempt a source from the noise pollution definition in § 77-1. Section 77-5 also applies to groups: anyone present with several persons whose collective behavior constitutes noise pollution is rebuttably presumed to have participated and is subject to the chapter, which matters for a parking-lot gathering in the Village of Southampton.
Section 77-6B lets the Village bring an injunction proceeding in addition to any other remedy.
Violations & Fines
Section 77-6A sends violations of Chapter 77 to Article II of Chapter 1 of the Village Code, where § 1-17 sets a fine not exceeding $2,000, imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or both, plus community service in the court's discretion. Each day of a continuing violation is a separate offense. Section 77-6B adds that the Village may bring an injunction proceeding to enforce the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a loud car stereo illegal in the Village of Southampton?
Does the rule apply to parked cars?
Are there exceptions for normal driving?
What if I was just standing near a loud group of cars?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Southampton Village
New York rules heatmap·Compare Southampton Village to another location·View the New York noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Vehicle Noise in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Suffolk County handle vehicle noise.