Filing a Noise Complaint in New York

What the Law Says

New York City regulates unreasonable noise under Title 24 of the NYC Administrative Code. Section 24-218 prohibits excessive noise that unreasonably interferes with health, comfort, or repose — especially between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM. The law applies to sources including loud music, construction (without permit), barking dogs, and amplified sound. Enforcement falls primarily to the NYPD for immediate disturbances and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for chronic or technical noise investigations (e.g., HVAC units exceeding decibel limits).

Noise is deemed 'unreasonable' if it exceeds permissible sound levels set forth in NYC Admin Code § 24-220 and its associated rules (e.g., 45 dBA in residential areas at night). However, subjective disturbance — such as persistent yelling or late-night parties — may still trigger enforcement even without metered readings.

Note: Outside NYC (e.g., Albany, Buffalo, Westchester County), local municipal codes apply. For example, Westchester County has its own noise ordinance (Westchester County Code § 315-10), and non-NYC municipalities often delegate enforcement to local police or code enforcement offices.

Statutory Text

No person shall make, continue or cause to be made or continued any noise which unreasonably interferes with the comfort, repose, health or safety of others...

— NYC Admin Code § 24-218(a)

What to Do

Sources

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