West New York, NJ Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Section 266-10 is part of the Town's Chapter 266 noise ordinance. Subsection A forbids removing or rendering inoperative, or making less effective than originally equipped, any device or element of design incorporated in a motor vehicle for noise control, other than for maintenance, repair or replacement, and forbids operating a vehicle so modified in any public space or public right-of-way. Subsection B requires a motorcycle to have a muffler that complies with and is labeled under the Federal Noise Regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 205 whether it is stationary or in motion. Subsections C and D set the music limits: vehicular music-amplification or reproduction equipment cannot be plainly audible at 25 feet in any direction from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., or at 50 feet from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

"Plainly audible" is defined in § 266-2 as sound an officer can detect with unaided hearing; for a vehicular sound system, detecting the rhythmic bass component is sufficient, and the officer need not identify the song. Because the opening of § 266-10 labels each subsection violation purposeful and therefore nonminor, § 266-11(E) applies the nonminor track: the violator is told that, unless the violation is immediately corrected, a notice of penalty assessment with a civil penalty of no more than $3,000 will issue. Noise control investigators can enforce the plainly audible and distance rules without a sound meter under § 266-5. Chapter 266 has no separate engine-brake provision. Section 266-9(E) separately requires a motor vehicle burglar alarm to stop within five minutes for continuous sound and 15 minutes for intermittent sound.

Off-road vehicles fall under Chapter 387: § 387-4 bars operating one that produces more than 100 decibels measured at 20 inches from 45 degrees behind the rear most exhaust outlet.