Noise ordinances › Newark, NJ

Newark noise ordinance: quiet hours, limits and complaints

Last updated: October 1, 2026

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Quiet hours in Newark

Table I's residential night runs 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. at 50 dBA from any source (versus 55 or 65 dBA by day); commercial and industrial receiving property and hospital quiet zones have one limit at all times. The timed rules in § 20:3-13: loudspeakers and public address systems may not create unnecessary noise across a residential property line from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., except at a permitted performance, gathering or parade (13c); loading and unloading may not exceed Table I from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (13f); construction, drilling and demolition tools may not run from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, before 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays, or at any time on Sundays or legal holidays, except for emergency work, under a special variance, or when the sound stays within Table I (13g); refuse collection equipment may not run from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on weekdays and Saturdays or before 8:00 a.m. on Sundays and legal holidays, with the same three exceptions (13k); and emergency signaling devices may be tested only between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., for no more than 30 seconds (13j). Domestic power tools and lawn mowers with mufflers are exempt from Table I only from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends and legal holidays (20:3-8a). A vehicle or its auxiliary equipment may not be operated for more than three minutes in any hour while stationary, other than in traffic congestion, on a public right-of-way or public space, or within 150 feet of a residential area between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., refuse collection excepted (20:3-12). Outdoor sound devices at permitted street assemblages are prohibited from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. (20:3-14c). "Weekdays" means Monday through Friday other than legal holidays (20:3-2).

Decibel limits

Yes. § 20:3-7 prohibits any source of sound from exceeding Table I "when measured at the real property line of the receiving property." Table I (Attachment 1), by sound source property (rows) and receiving property (columns): residential source: 55 dBA to residential property from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 50 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., 65 dBA to commercial and 75 dBA to industrial property at all times, 50 dBA in a hospital quiet zone at all times; commercial source: 65 / 50 dBA residential, 65 commercial, 75 industrial, 50 hospital quiet zone; industrial source: the same as commercial. A hospital quiet zone is any street within 500 feet of a hospital boundary (20:3-2). For sound devices, the Table I limit also applies through partitions common to two or more persons within a building (13b(3)). Measurements must follow the procedures of N.J.A.C. 7:29B and be made by a person deemed qualified under N.J.A.C. 7:29B (20:3-6); unweighted references default to A-weighting (definition of SOUND LEVEL). Specific figures: air conditioners, air handlers and heat pumps may not exceed 55 dBA at a residential property line unless they add less than 5 dBA to the existing level (13l); vehicle horns may not exceed 100 dBA at 25 feet (20:3-11b). Table I does not apply to construction (except under 13g), air conditioning (except under 13l), refuse collection (except under 13k), mufflered snow removal equipment, church bells and chimes, motor vehicles (governed by 20:3-9), or mufflered domestic power tools within their hours (20:3-8). The meter is not the only route: § 20:3-13a prohibits "Creation of unnecessary noise, or a noise disturbance," where unnecessary noise is noise "which is avoidable, not absolutely needed" and a noise disturbance includes sound that "annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities" (20:3-2); stereos, instruments and similar devices may not create unnecessary noise at 50 feet in public buildings, on public transportation, on public streets or other public places or on a motor vehicle on a public right-of-way, or unnecessary noise "for any person other than the operator of the device" (13b(1)–(2)); motor vehicle noise is judged by an unreasonably loud, disturbing or unnecessary standard (20:3-9); and a dog barking continuously for 10 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes is a noise disturbance (13e).

What the ordinance actually says

Sec. 20:3-7: "No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation of any source of sound on a particular category or property in such a manner as to create a sound level that exceeds the particular sound level limits set forth in Table I[1] when measured at the real property line of the receiving property."

Sec. 20:3-2: "NOISE DISTURBANCE Shall mean any sound which either endangers or injures the safety or health of humans or animals, or annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, or endangers or injures personal or real property." and "UNNECESSARY NOISE Shall mean any noise which is avoidable, not absolutely needed and the elimination of which will not cause greater hardship than the noise itself."

Sec. 20:3-13: "No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the following acts: a. Creation of unnecessary noise, or a noise disturbance. b. Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, portable stereo device, tape recorder, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier, or similar device which produces, reproduces, or amplifies sound: 1. In such a manner as to create unnecessary noise at 50 feet from such a device when operated in public buildings, on public modes of transportation, on public streets or at any other public place or on a motor vehicle on a public right-of-way. 2. In such a manner as to create unnecessary noise for any person other than the operator of the device."

Sec. 20:3-13g: "Construction; operating or permitting the operation of tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, demolition, or similar work between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day on weekdays, before 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays, and at any time on Sundays or legal holidays except for emergency work, or by special variance issued pursuant to this chapter, or when the resulting sound level does not exceed the applicable limit set in Table I[3]."

Sec. 20:3-13e: "Animals; owning, possessing or harboring any animal or bird that frequently or for a continued duration makes sounds that create a noise disturbance across a residential real property line. For the purpose of this chapter, a dog barking continuously for 10 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes will constitute a noise disturbance."

Sec. 20:3-6: "Noise measurements made for the enforcement of this chapter shall be taken in accordance with procedures specified by N.J.A.C. 7:29B. Such measurements shall be made by a person who is deemed qualified pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:29B."

Sec. 20:3-18b: "Any person who violates any other provision of this chapter shall upon conviction be fined at least a minimum fine of $100 but not more than $750 for a first offense; not more than $1,250 for a second offense; not more than $2,000 for a third or subsequent offense."

Quoted verbatim from the official codified text (Revised General Ordinances of the City of Newark, Title XX "Offenses, Miscellaneous," Chapter 20:3 "Noise Control" (cited as the "Noise Control Ordinance of the City of Newark"), §§ 20:3-1 through 20:3-18 and Attachment 1, Table I "Maximum Permissible Sound Levels" (Ord. 6 S+FG, 6-25-1986, which replaced the noise ordinance codified in R.O. 1966 § 17:3-1 et seq., repealed the same day by Ord. 6 S+FH; amended by Ord. 6 S+FD, 12-22-1987, Ord. 6 S+FC, 4-3-1991, Ord. 6 S+FI, 5-1-1991, Ord. 6 S+FD, 3-16-1994, Ord. 6 S+FL, 9-17-2008, Ord. 6PSF-A(S), 1-7-2016, Ord. No. 6PSF-D, 3-24-2020 and others): 20:3-2 definitions, 20:3-6 noise measurements, 20:3-7 maximum permissible sound levels, 20:3-8 exemptions, 20:3-9 to 20:3-12 motor vehicles, mufflers, horns and standing vehicles, 20:3-13 prohibited acts, 20:3-14 exceptions and variances, 20:3-15 enforcement, 20:3-16 notice of violation, 20:3-17 abatement order and impoundment, 20:3-18 penalties; with § 20:2-16 disorderly conduct, § 6:1-10 noises by dogs and Zoning § 41:6-2-33 (nightclubs, discotheques and cabarets). Text read on eCode360 (General Code, the City's code host; "Includes legislation through 08-05-2026") on 2026-10-01.). Verified against the live code on 2026-10-01. 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 Newark

Per newarknj.gov's "Report an Issue" link (the City of Newark request portal on SeeClickFix), the Public Safety category lists "Noise Disturbance" with the note "For immediate police response, Please call 973-733-6000"; the Newark Department of Public Safety's contact page (newarkpublicsafety.org) lists Emergency: Dial 911 and Non-Emergency: (973) 733-6000. The Department of Health and Community Wellness Food & Drug Bureau page on newarknj.gov lists "Noise Quality" among the environmental health nuisances and complaints the bureau investigates and says the Division of Environmental Health consults with the Essex Regional Health Commission for the investigation of noise issues; the City Hall number on newarknj.gov is 973-733-4311. Under the code, Chapter 20:3 is enforced by the Directors of Health and Community Wellness, Engineering and Public Safety, with motor-vehicle provisions enforced solely by Public Safety (20:3-15); a violation is cause for a notice of violation (20:3-16), which the Directors pair with an abatement order allowing 10 to 30 days, except for willful or knowing violations or where they believe there will be no compliance (20:3-17a–b). Police impound sound equipment used in violation of 13b and vehicles operated in violation of the chapter (20:3-17c–d). Fines on conviction: $100 to $250 for stereo and device violations under 13b; otherwise at least $100 and up to $750 for a first offense, $1,250 for a second and $2,000 for a third; $100 to $2,000 for willful or knowing violations; an additional $100 to $2,000 for a repeat within a year; each day a separate offense (20:3-18). Sound permits for outdoor and street assemblages are filed with the Department of Finance, Division of Special Taxes and Tax Abatements, 15 calendar days in advance (20:3-14c).

Step by step, with what to log and what to expect after you file: how to file a noise complaint in Newark. 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) New Jersey context: Chapter 20:3 is Newark's own ordinance, enacted in 1986 to replace the noise ordinance codified in the 1966 Revised Ordinances, and nothing in its text says it adopts a state model noise ordinance by reference. It borrows state rules in specific places, including: enforcement measurements must follow N.J.A.C. 7:29B and be taken by a person qualified under it (20:3-6); the zoning conditions for nightclubs, discotheques and cabarets, and for animal boarding, kennels, pounds and shelters, require applicants to demonstrate compliance with the NJDEP State Noise Control Regulations, N.J.A.C. 7:29 (41:6-2-33, 41:6-2-2); and an editor's note to the idling rule points to N.J.S.A. 39:3-70.2 (20:3-12). (2) Table I depends on both the source and the receiver: by day a home may receive 65 dBA from a commercial or industrial neighbor but only 55 dBA from a residential one; at night every source is held to 50 dBA at a home. (3) Hospital quiet zones are any street within 500 feet of a hospital boundary and get 50 dBA around the clock; Senior Citizen Quiet Zones exist only where the Municipal Council designates them by ordinance and signs are posted, and noncommercial public speaking next to them is exempt from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (20:3-2, 20:3-13m). (4) Construction is exempt from Table I outside its restricted hours, but in those hours it is lawful only for emergency work, under a variance, or if it stays within Table I; the text gives Saturday a morning limit (before 9:00 a.m.) and no evening one. (5) The device rule reaches unnecessary noise "for any person other than the operator of the device" (13b(2)), and a violator's noise-producing equipment is impounded by the Newark police, with a summons requiring a court appearance to retrieve it (20:3-17d), though the fine is capped lower, $100 to $250 (20:3-18a). (6) A barking dog has a clock: 10 minutes continuous or 30 minutes intermittent is a noise disturbance (13e). (7) Penalties climb steeply for everything else: up to $750, $1,250 and $2,000 for first, second and third offenses, $100 to $2,000 for willful violations, and an extra $100 to $2,000 repeat-offender fine within a year (20:3-18). (8) The chapter favors fixing first: a notice of violation comes with an abatement order of 10 to 30 days, except for willful or knowing violations or where the Directors believe there will be no compliance (20:3-17). (9) Vehicles: any motor vehicle operated in violation of the chapter is impounded forthwith, with a hearing within 72 hours on request (20:3-17c); on a public right-of-way or public space a horn may be sounded only as a danger warning or where state motor vehicle law requires it, and no horn may exceed 100 dBA at 25 feet (20:3-11); mufflers must be original or equivalent (20:3-10). (10) Outdoor assemblage sound permits must be filed 15 days ahead, may not be sited within 500 feet of any public facility, school, hospital or entertainment venue, and stop at 10:00 p.m. (20:3-14c). (11) Separately, the disorderly conduct ordinance forbids anyone to "Shout or make a noise either outside or inside a building during the nighttime to the annoyance or disturbance of the neighborhood" without defining nighttime (20:2-16d), and § 6:1-10 makes a dog that violates 20:3-13e a violation of the animal chapter as well.

Document it before you report it

Newark's limits are measured numbers, so a reading is direct evidence of how loud it really is. Take a quick reading with the free online decibel meter — it runs in your browser and records nothing — and check how loud your block is on the Newark noise map. For time-stamped measurement history you can show a landlord or code officer, the app keeps a log.