Garfield does not have a short-term rental-specific noise ordinance. STR guests must comply with Garfield's general municipal noise rules and the New Jersey DEP Noise Control regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:29). Local NJ municipal noise ordinances must be approved by NJ DEP under the NJ Noise Control Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1G-1 et seq.). Operators of any rental licensed under Garfield Code Chapter 131 are required to designate a custodian or caretaker responsible for ensuring guest compliance with all applicable Garfield ordinances, which includes the noise ordinance. Repeated noise complaints can support license revocation under Chapter 131 and ordinance penalties under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5.
Garfield's short-term rental noise framework operates on three layers, none of them STR-specific. State framework: the New Jersey Noise Control Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1G-1 et seq.) and N.J.A.C. 7:29 set the technical decibel-based standards used as the model for municipal noise ordinances; local noise ordinances must be reviewed and approved by NJ DEP before adoption. Bergen County layer: Bergen County itself does not have a countywide residential noise ordinance — the Bergen County Department of Health Services (BCDHS) responds to complaints and provides certified noise-control officer support, but enforcement is at the municipal level. Local layer: Garfield's general municipal noise ordinance (in the Garfield Code, codified on eCode360) regulates 'unreasonable noise,' loud parties, amplified sound, and barking dogs across all residential zones, with the typical NJ-DEP-model decibel limits and quiet-hour periods enforced by the Garfield Police Department. Crucially, Garfield Code Chapter 131 (Dwelling and Rooming Units) §§4-7 require that every premises licensed for sleeping purposes be 'in charge of a custodian or caretaker' who is responsible for compliance with all applicable Garfield ordinances. That makes the licensed operator — not just the guest — directly accountable for noise that occurs at the rental. Hosts are strongly advised to provide guests with written house rules referencing Garfield's quiet hours and to post a 24/7 contact number that neighbors and police can call. Active noise complaints are routed through the Garfield Police non-emergency line; ongoing or repeated complaints are investigated by the Garfield Health Officer and can be referred to the Zoning Officer for license review under Chapter 131.
Violations of Garfield's general noise ordinance are prosecuted in Garfield Municipal Court under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5, which sets a maximum penalty of up to $2,000 per offense, up to 90 days imprisonment, and up to 90 days of community service, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The licensed operator under Chapter 131 is responsible for guest conduct at the licensed premises, so repeat substantiated noise complaints can also trigger Chapter 131 license revocation by the Garfield Zoning Officer and refusal of the next Certificate of Continued Occupancy under Chapter 75. Noise sources that exceed N.J.A.C. 7:29 decibel limits can additionally be cited by certified noise-control officers from BCDHS or NJ DEP.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Garfield, NJ
Garfield requires permanent swimming pools to sit at least six feet from any rear or side lot line, supplementing New Jersey's state pool barrier code.
Garfield, NJ
Garfield regulates fence materials by openness percentage in residential districts, requiring partial transparency for fences within 50 feet of the front pro...
Garfield, NJ
Garfield requires that the finished or face side of any fence point toward the adjacent neighboring property, ensuring neighbors are not left looking at fram...
Garfield, NJ
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Garfield, NJ
Garfield bans feeding waterfowl, songbirds, pigeons, and backyard birds on public property and limits private feeding to small, nuisance-free amounts.
Garfield, NJ
All consumer fireworks that explode or leave the ground are illegal in Garfield under N.J.S.A. 21:3-1 et seq., the NJ Explosives and Fireworks Act. Only non-...
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