Noise from Specific Sources in Pennsylvania (2026)
25 rules on the books across Pennsylvania, 9 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
Noise limits for air conditioners, heat pumps, pool equipment, and other mechanical systems, including decibel thresholds measured at the property line.
Erie
Some RestrictionsErie's Zoning Ordinance Section 305.35(d) requires any convenience store's outdoor mechanical or refrigeration…
Read full rule →Philadelphia
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code Section 10-403(2)(b) exempts air conditioning and refrigeration units from the general residential…
Read full rule →Pittsburgh
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh caps unamplified noise, including AC compressors and HVAC condensers, that crosses onto a neighbor's…
Read full rule →Bar & Nightclub Noise
Noise regulations specific to bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues, including bass frequency limits, soundproofing requirements, and complaint procedures.
Scranton
Significant RestrictionsA nightclub in Scranton must close between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., keep all activity inside a fully enclosed building with…
Read full rule →Allentown
Some RestrictionsAllentown limits sound inside any bar, nightclub, or other place of public entertainment to 90 dB(A) measured at any…
Read full rule →Philadelphia
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia bars, nightclubs, restaurants and similar special assembly occupancies may not create sound audible more…
Read full rule →Pittsburgh
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh caps amplified noise from bars and nightclubs at 75 dB(A) where it crosses into a residential property, day…
Read full rule →Pottstown
Light RestrictionsBusinesses running a permitted or pre-existing legal nonconforming use in Pottstown's Downtown Zoning District are…
Read full rule →Car Alarm Limits
Maximum duration for car alarms before they must auto-silence, penalties for repeated false alarms, and vehicle towing authority for chronic alarm violations.
Allentown
Some RestrictionsAllentown's noise ordinance bans any exterior burglar alarm or motor-vehicle burglar alarm that doesn't shut off…
Read full rule →Philadelphia
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia bans parking a vehicle with an audible anti-theft alarm that cannot auto-shutoff within five minutes; any…
Read full rule →Pottstown
Some RestrictionsPottstown's noise ordinance bars operating a motorcycle, truck, automobile or other motor vehicle in a way that causes…
Read full rule →Scranton
Some RestrictionsCity Code § 317-7A(3)(c) makes it a noise disturbance to sound, or let sound, any exterior burglar alarm or motor…
Read full rule →Bethlehem
Light RestrictionsBethlehem folds car alarms into its vehicle noise nuisance ordinance: causing or allowing more than one false alarm…
Read full rule →Upper Darby
Light RestrictionsUpper Darby requires exterior burglar alarms on buildings and motor vehicles to shut off within 15 minutes of…
Read full rule →Generator Noise
Rules for portable and standby generators, including permitted operating hours, decibel limits, and restrictions during non-emergency use.
Philadelphia
Significant RestrictionsPhiladelphia bars mobile food vendors operating on privately owned lots from running any generator outside the vehicle…
Read full rule →Pittsburgh
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh zoning requires developments near residential zones to commit to daytime-only generator testing and keeps…
Read full rule →Scranton
Some RestrictionsScranton's code does not regulate home standby generators directly, but it does address generator noise at cell towers…
Read full rule →Delivery Truck Noise
Time-of-day restrictions on commercial delivery trucks operating in residential zones, including back-up beepers, refrigeration units, and engine idling.
Allentown
Some RestrictionsCity ordinance bars loading, unloading, or handling boxes, crates, containers, or building materials between 10 p.m…
Read full rule →Philadelphia
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia limits how long a delivery truck's engine can idle at the curb, capping most vehicles at 3 minutes and…
Read full rule →Pittsburgh
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh's zoning code caps noise from delivery and pick-up trucks serving a development at 65 dBA by day and 60 dBA…
Read full rule →Pottstown
Some RestrictionsPottstown bars garbage and recycling trucks from picking up in the Borough between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. (9:00 a.m…
Read full rule →Reading
Some RestrictionsLoading or unloading boxes, crates, containers, building materials and garbage cans between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. is…
Read full rule →Scranton
Some RestrictionsScranton's noise ordinance bars loading and unloading crates, containers, building materials or garbage cans without…
Read full rule →Upper Darby
Some RestrictionsUpper Darby bars loading, unloading or handling boxes, crates and containers between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. if it…
Read full rule →Low-Frequency Bass Limits
Special bass-frequency (≤125 Hz) sound limits for venues, including dB(C) measurement standards and how cities differentiate bass noise from baseline ambient.