Noise ordinances › Nassau County, NY

Nassau County noise ordinance: quiet hours, limits and complaints

Last updated: November 4, 2026

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Quiet hours in Nassau County

Nassau County sets no quiet hours that we could find. If you live in an unincorporated community, read your town's code; if you live in a village or city, read that village's or city's code too: the two we opened, the Village of Hempstead and the City of Glen Cove, have noise chapters of their own. The town hours follow, and all three towns also bar a noise disturbance with no hours attached (§ 144-2A), or in so many words at any time (§ 156-4A; § 38-3A(1)). Town of Hempstead: a radio apparatus, loudspeaker, public address system or similar device may not produce sound across a real property boundary from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. (§ 144-3L); building work is allowed only from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, except urgent public safety work with a Department of Buildings permit (§ 144-3G); powered saws, sanders, drills, grinders, lawn and garden tools, snowblowers and similar devices that create unreasonable noise across a real property boundary are allowed only from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays (§ 144-3M); and the numeric limits on devices in Article II treat 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. as day and 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. as night for short noises (§ 144-5A(2)). In Oyster Bay and North Hempstead most of these hours apply when the sound creates a noise disruption across a property line or in a noise-sensitive zone; a loudspeaker that does that is barred at any hour, and leaf blower hours apply outright. Town of Oyster Bay, which counts a night by the morning it ends (§ 156-4B): radios, musical instruments and similar devices, 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. ending Monday through Saturday and 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. ending Sunday or a holiday (1); loudspeakers on a public right-of-way or public space, 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and, ending Sunday or a holiday, 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. (2); loading and unloading, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. and, ending Sunday or a holiday, 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. (5); commercial equipment, 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. (6); construction tools, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday and at any time on Sunday or holidays (7); vehicle or motorboat repair, powered model vehicles and domestic power tools, 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and, ending Sunday or a holiday, 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. (8), (11), (16); motorized leaf blowers only from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and national holidays (18). Town of North Hempstead (§ 38-3B), where most of these hours also run from the evening before to the morning named: radios, instruments and similar devices, 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. (1); loudspeakers on a public right-of-way or public space, 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. (2); loading and unloading and commercial equipment, 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. (5), (6); construction, 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. on weekdays and at any time on weekends or holidays, with limited exceptions by Building Department permit (7); vehicle repair and testing, 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays and at any time on weekends or holidays (8); powered model vehicles, 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays and at any time on weekends or holidays (11); domestic power tools, 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. ending on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday (16); motorized leaf blowers, lawn mowers, trimmers and mulchers only from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday (18).

Decibel limits — or rather, the lack of them

We found no decibel limit in Nassau County law. Town of Hempstead: Article I, which holds the general and specific noise bans, has no decibel figure and turns mainly on whether a sound annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivity (§§ 144-1 to 144-3). Article II, titled Transient Sound From Aircraft in Flight and Other Devices, is narrower and does carry numbers. It bars any mechanism or device, airplanes included, from creating a noise in the Town above set limits (§ 144-5), and it defines noise as any increase in the ambient noise caused by any mechanical device (§ 144-4), so as we read it, it does not cover sound with no device behind it, such as voices or a barking dog. Its limits are not one dB or dBA figure. Each is a band pressure level in decibels (re 0.0002 microbars) for one octave band, so a single dBA reading cannot be compared with them. Steady noise, lasting more than one minute (Table II): 72 at 63 cycles per second, 67 at 125, 59 at 250, 52 at 500, 46 at 1,000, 40 at 2,000, 34 at 4,000 and 32 at 8,000. Transient noise, lasting one minute or less (Table I): 92, 87, 79, 72, 66, 60, 54 and 52 at the same bands, applied to noise lasting more than 12 seconds from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and more than six seconds from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Measuring (§ 144-6): noise is measured at an altitude not exceeding 100 feet above sea level; noise from a mechanism or device, including motor vehicles, at least 100 feet from the vehicle's center line; and machinery noise on private property at the property line of the property where the source sits. Towns of Oyster Bay and North Hempstead: there is no general decibel limit for neighbor noise, but both codes carry the same two tables of sound levels that pose an immediate threat to health and welfare, both measured at 50 feet or 15 meters (§ 156-7A; § 38-5A). Continuous sound: 90 dBA for 24 hours, 93 for 12 hours, 96 for 6 hours, 99 for 3 hours, 102 for 1.5 hours, 105 for 45 minutes and 108 for 22 minutes. Impulsive sound: 145 dBA once, 135 dBA 10 times or 125 dBA 100 times in 24 hours. Above those levels the Town must order an immediate halt and apply to court for an injunction within five days. Villages and cities differ. The Village of Hempstead, a separate government from the Town, treats 85 dB(A) as noise (§ 95-8.1), bars music or other sound from a radio, instrument or similar device above 45 dB(A) measured inside a neighboring building or residential unit (§ 95-8.3B), and holds machinery and air conditioners to 65 dBA at a residential property line from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and at a nonresidential property at any time, and to 50 dBA at a residential property line from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. (§ 95-8.3N, which also sets octave band and impulsive limits). The City of Glen Cove's Chapter 196 has an Article III headed Maximum Permitted Sound Levels; we did not read its figures. The City of Long Beach's code page for noise asked for a login, so we could not read it.

What the ordinance actually says

Town of Hempstead § 144-2A: "It shall be unlawful and an offense against this chapter for any person to unreasonably make, continue or cause to be made or continued any unreasonable noise or noise disturbance."

Town of Hempstead § 144-1: noise disturbance is "Any sound which either endangers or injures the safety or health of humans or animals or annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivity or endangers or damages property;"

Town of Hempstead § 144-3L: "Using any radio apparatus, loudspeaker, public address system or similar device between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. producing sound across a real property boundary."

Town of Hempstead § 144-5: "No person shall operate or cause to be operated any mechanism or device, including but not limited to airplanes, which shall create a noise within the Town of Hempstead exceeding the limiting noise spectra set forth in Tables I and II, as follows:"

Town of Hempstead § 144-4: noise is "Any increase in the ambient noise, measured as provided in this Article, caused by any mechanical device, including aircraft."

Town of Hempstead § 144-6C: "Machinery noise originating on private property shall be measured at the property line of the property on which the noise source is located."

Town of Hempstead § 144-7: "Any person or persons, association or corportation committing an offense against this chapter, or any section or provision thereof, is guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $250 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 days for each such offense, or by both such fine and imprisonment."

Town of Oyster Bay § 156-4A: "Noise disturbances prohibited. No person shall make, continue or cause to be made or continued any noise disturbance at any time."

Town of Oyster Bay § 156-2: noise disruption is "The creation of any sound which interferes with the reasonable and normal activities of reasonable persons of normal sensitivities lawfully occupying an area adjacent to the source of said sound."

Town of Oyster Bay § 156-4B(1)(a)[1]: "Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. the previous day to 8:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 p.m. the previous day to 9:00 a.m. on Sunday or Holidays in such a manner as to create a noise disruption across a real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive zone."

Town of North Hempstead § 38-3B(1)(a)[1]: "Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in such a manner as to create a noise disruption across a real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive zone."

Town of North Hempstead § 38-3B(4): "Animals and birds: owning, possessing or harboring any animal or bird which, for a long and continuous and frequent duration in excess of 15 minutes, howls, barks, meows, squawks or makes other sounds which create a noise disruption across a residential real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive zone."

Town of North Hempstead § 38-5A(1): "The Town of North Hempstead or its agent or employee shall order an immediate halt to any sound which exposes any person to continuous sound levels in excess of those shown in Table I or to impulsive sound levels in excess of those shown in Table II."

Nassau County Miscellaneous Laws, Title 64 (Social Host Law), § 2: "accidental injuries, neighborhood vandalism, excessive noise disturbances requiring the intervention of local law enforcement and the commission of violent crimes"

Nassau County Public Health Ordinance, Article XIII, Section 1: nuisance is defined as "any annoying, offensive or vexatious use of property or course of conduct that is adverse to the public health."

Nassau County Public Health Ordinance, Article XIII, Section 2(A): "The Commissioner, or his/her duly authorized representative, shall have the authority to investigate all complaints of any nuisance in the County."

New York Penal Law § 240.20: "A person is guilty of disorderly conduct when, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof:" ... "2. He makes unreasonable noise; or"

Quoted verbatim from the official text (Town codes (Hempstead Ch. 144; Oyster Bay Ch. 156; North Hempstead Ch. 38), because no general Nassau County noise law was found. Town of Hempstead Code on eCode360 (dated 2026-08-04), Chapter 144 (Unreasonable Noise), Articles I to III, §§ 144-1 to 144-7 (Ord. No. 25, adopted 9-12-1950; amended in its entirety by L.L. No. 99-1983, effective 11-7-1983; § 144-3M amended by L.L. No. 52-2017, effective 6-29-2017; Article II, Transient Sound From Aircraft in Flight and Other Devices, originally enacted 11-19-1968, effective 12-7-1968). Town of Oyster Bay Code on eCode360 (dated 2023-03-07), Chapter 156 (Noise), §§ 156-1 to 156-8.2, the Noise Control Ordinance (adopted 7-24-1990; § 156-4B(18) added by L.L. No. 2-1996; § 156-3 amended by L.L. No. 6-2018 and L.L. No. 5-2022; penalties amended by L.L. No. 4-2023). Town of North Hempstead Code on eCode360 (dated 2026-04-21), Chapter 38 (Noise), §§ 38-1 to 38-7 (L.L. No. 13-2003, adopted 10-21-2003; § 38-6 amended by L.L. No. 9-2005; § 38-3B(20) added by L.L. No. 3-2006; § 38-3B(7)(a) amended by L.L. No. 4-2020), and § 14-12 (dogs). State law: New York Penal Law § 240.20. County law searched for the word noise: Nassau County Administrative Code and Charter (both January 1, 2026), Miscellaneous Laws (January 1, 2022), Public Health Ordinance (June 2014) and Department of Public Works Rules & Regulations Pertaining to Permits for Work on County Roads and Within County Right-of-Way. Each town's eCode360 page also shows a New Laws count (Hempstead 3, Oyster Bay 30, North Hempstead 3) that we did not open, so recent changes may be missing. Text read 2026-11-04.). Verified against the live code on 2026-11-04. Ordinances get amended — before acting on a specific provision, check the linked official code. This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.

How to file a noise complaint in Nassau County

Nassau County has no noise office that we could find, so the first call depends on where you live: your town if you are in an unincorporated community, or your village or city if you are in one, with the police for anything that needs an officer. The Nassau County Police Department's FAQ says to call your local precinct only if there is no need for police to respond, and otherwise to call 911. Precincts: First (516) 573-6100, Second 573-6200, Third 573-6300, Fourth 573-6400, Fifth 573-6500, Sixth 573-6600, Seventh 573-6700, Eighth 573-6800. Town of North Hempstead: Code Enforcement in the Department of Public Safety investigates noise complaints, (516) 869-6311, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 220 Plandome Road, Manhasset. Town of Oyster Bay: the Code Enforcement Bureau, (516) 624-6200 ext. 4, takes a Request for Investigation form with a Noise box at 74 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay. It will not process anonymous complaints, asks for proof of identity (a copy of a driver's license or utility bill, or a notarized signature), and says your information will be disclosed in a criminal proceeding. Town of Hempstead: we found no noise contact on the Town pages we read. Its Helpline is 516-489-6000, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday; after hours the Department of Public Safety, 516-538-1900, says it will help you find the proper agency to call. Villages and cities: the County's directory covers the police departments of 64 incorporated villages and two cities, among them Village of Hempstead Police 516-483-6263, Long Beach Police 516-431-6868 and Glen Cove Police 516-676-1000, and the County's laws page says that if your municipality's code is not listed there, call your city, town or village directly. Penalties in the town codes: Hempstead, a fine of up to $250, up to 15 days in jail, or both, for each offense (§ 144-7). Oyster Bay, up to $350, up to six months, or both, for a first offense; $350 to $700 for a second within five years; $700 to $1,000 for a third within five years, each also with up to six months or both; each week's continued violation is a separate violation (§ 156-8). North Hempstead, $100 to $350 or up to 10 days for a first offense, $350 to $750 or up to 30 days for a second within one year, $750 to $1,250 or up to 60 days for a third within two years, or both in each case; construction violations run $500 to $1,500 or up to 15 days, $1,500 to $3,000 or up to 30 days, and $3,000 to $5,000 or up to 60 days (§ 38-6). Sources: https://www.pdcn.org/Faq.aspx?QID=63, https://www.pdcn.org/383/NCPD-Precincts, https://www.northhempsteadny.gov/departments/public_safet/index.php, https://oysterbaytown.com/codeenforcement/, https://oysterbaytown.com/wp-content/uploads/Request-for-Investigation-2019-1.pdf, https://hempsteadny.gov/FormCenter/Constituent-Affairs-15/Helpline-75, https://hempsteadny.gov/195/Emergency-Services, https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2827/Police-Departments?bidId= and https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/581/Laws-Regulations-Codes.

Step by step, with what to log and what to expect after you file: how to file a noise complaint in Nassau County. For the general playbook — documenting the problem, talking to a landlord or HOA, when 311 beats 911 — see the noise complaints guide.

Worth knowing

(1) Why a county page lists town rules: we found no general Nassau County noise law. The word noise does not appear in the County Charter, the Public Health Ordinance (June 2014 edition) or the Department of Public Works road permit rules. In the Administrative Code it appears once, in a list of "aircraft noise problems" in the policy statement that set up the County's Environmental Management Council (§ 21-60.0). In the Miscellaneous Laws it appears once, in the legislative intent of the Social Host Law (Title 64, § 2), which lists excessive noise disturbances among the harms of underage drinking and drug use; that law holds adults responsible when they permit minors to drink or use drugs at their homes, and it is not a noise rule. Two general County nuisance laws do not name noise, but their words are broad: Article XIII of the Public Health Ordinance lets the Health Commissioner investigate complaints of any nuisance in the County, defined as "any annoying, offensive or vexatious use of property or course of conduct that is adverse to the public health", and Chapter XXII-A of the Administrative Code, aimed at premises used for crimes such as drug sales, also reaches unreasonable conduct that creates a condition endangering the safety or health of a considerable number of persons (§ 22A-2.0D(2)). We found nothing saying either is used for noise, so we do not treat them as noise laws. No title on the County's Local Laws page mentions noise, though the 2024 laws are listed by number only. The Miscellaneous Laws edition is dated January 1, 2022 and says other unconsolidated local laws may exist, the Administrative Code says "Ordinances and Resolutions are not codified", and we did not search the Legislature's own proceedings, so a stand-alone law or ordinance cannot be ruled out. (2) Town or village: the Town of Hempstead and the Village of Hempstead are different governments with different noise rules, and the Town of Oyster Bay and the Village of Oyster Bay Cove are different governments too. The County's directory counts 64 incorporated villages and two cities. No file we read says whether a town's code also applies inside a village, so if you live in a village, ask the village. Check your address before relying on any rule here. (3) Two tests in Oyster Bay and North Hempstead: a noise disturbance is sound that endangers or injures, or annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, and it is barred at any time. A noise disruption is sound that interferes with the reasonable and normal activities of people next to it, and most of the listed hours use that test. North Hempstead lists ten factors for a noise disturbance, among them the time of day, the duration and how close the sound is to residential sleeping facilities (§ 38-3A(2)). (4) State law also applies: under New York Penal Law § 240.20 a person who makes unreasonable noise, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm or recklessly creating a risk of it, commits disorderly conduct, which is a violation. (5) Animals: Hempstead bars an animal or bird whose sounds create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary (§ 144-3C). Oyster Bay requires a long, continuous and frequent duration of more than 30 minutes (§ 156-4B(4)) and North Hempstead more than 15 minutes (§ 38-3B(4)), and North Hempstead also bars habitual or frequent loud howling or barking that unreasonably disturbs someone nearby (§ 14-12). (6) Alarms: an audible burglar or fire alarm must shut off after 30 minutes in Hempstead (§ 144-3O), an exterior burglar or motor vehicle alarm within six minutes in Oyster Bay (§ 156-4B(14)(c)), and an exterior burglar or fire alarm or motor vehicle alarm within 20 minutes in North Hempstead (§ 38-3B(14)(c)). (7) Exemptions: Hempstead exempts sound from public speaking and public assembly activities on public property from its general ban (§ 144-2B). Oyster Bay exempts emergency sound and work, valid municipal functions and lawful hunting at state-approved areas (§ 156-5). (8) Idling trucks in Oyster Bay: a vehicle over 10,000 pounds may not stand for longer than 10 minutes in any hour within 150 feet of a residential area from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Sunday or holidays (§ 156-6D). (9) More penalties: Oyster Bay can also fine up to $900 or jail up to 15 days for violating a directive (§ 156-8.1), and its Bureau of Administrative Adjudication can impose money penalties for first and second violations (§ 156-8.2). (10) Hempstead and aircraft: Article II dates from 1968 and § 144-5 names airplanes, while Oyster Bay and North Hempstead both say their noise chapters do not regulate aircraft movement that follows federal law (§ 156-4B(9); § 38-3B(9)). We did not research whether the Town can enforce Article II against aircraft in flight. (11) New York City is a separate jurisdiction (see the New York page); this page's map link goes there because it is the nearest city in our noise map.

Document it before you report it

Each town, village or city in Nassau County sets its own rules, but a log of measured levels still makes a complaint concrete and credible. Take a quick reading with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser and records nothing — and see the nearest city we map, on the New York noise map. For time-stamped measurement history you can show a landlord or code officer, the app keeps a log.