Village of North Haven, NY Noise

[Amended 8-4-1986 by L.L. No. 7-1986; 11-16-2021 by L.L. No. 9-2021]

The following acts, among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in violation of this chapter:

Horns, signaling devices, etc.: the sounding of any horn or signaling device on any automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle on any street or public place of the Village, except as a danger warning; the creation by means of any such signaling device of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound; the sounding of any such device for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time.

Radios, speakers, outdoor televisions, etc.: the using or operating, or permitting to be played, used or operated, of any radio, musical instrument, speaker, outdoor television, phonograph or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound in such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants or at any time with louder volume than is necessary for convenient hearing for the person or persons who are in the room, vehicle or place where such machine or device is operated and who are voluntary listeners thereto. The operation of such radio, speaker, instrument, phonograph, machine or device between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in such a manner as to be plainly audible to neighbors shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.

Loudspeakers, amplifiers for advertising: the using or operating, or permitting to be played, used or operated, of any radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker, sound amplifier or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound which is cast upon the public streets for the purpose of commercial advertising or attracting the attention of the public to any building or structure.

Yelling, shouting, etc.: yelling, shouting, hooting or singing on the public streets, particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or at any time or place so as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any dwelling or of any persons in the vicinity.

Animals, birds, etc.: the keeping of any animal or bird which, by causing frequent or long continued noise, shall disturb the comfort or repose of any persons in the vicinity.

Exhausts: the discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal-combustion engine, motorboat or motor vehicle, except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom. This does not apply to tractors, lawnmowers and power saws when used between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Defect on motor vehicle or load: the use of any motor, automobile, motorcycle or vehicle so out of repair, so loaded or in such a manner as to create loud and unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise.

The use of landscaping and tree trimming equipment, including but not limited to lawnmowers, tractors, leaf blowers, trimmers, chippers and chainsaws, shall be permitted only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. weekdays, and Saturdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The use of landscaping equipment by homeowners, including lawnmowers, leaf blowers and trimmers, shall be permitted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Commercial use of landscaping or tree trimming equipment, as described above, by contractors shall be prohibited on Sundays and state and federal holidays. The use of snowblowers is exempt from this section. Effective May 1, 2022, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by residents, contractors, professional landscapers, gardeners and/or caretakers will be prohibited between May 1 and October 31. Use of gas-powered leaf blowers will be allowed between November 1 through April 30. Approved hours of use are stated above in this section. They will also be allowed for cleanup after major storms.

Outboard motorboats, pile drivers, hammers, etc.: the operation between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of any outboard motorboat within the Village or of any pile driver, steam shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick, steam or electric hoist or other appliance, the use of which is attended by loud or unusual noise.

Construction/renovation of buildings: the construction, renovation, repair or alteration (including excavation, demolition) of any building other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on weekdays (Monday through Friday) shall be prohibited. Construction, renovation, alteration and repair by contractors shall be prohibited on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and state and federal holidays. Homeowners are permitted to perform repair work, which does not require a building permit, on Saturdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Building Inspector shall be empowered to permit the repair, construction, alteration and renovation of a residential or accessory structure at any hour or any day if the Inspector determines that the public health or safety is endangered. The Building Inspector shall issue an emergency building permit which will expire three days from its issuance.

The use or operation of the following types of motorized recreational vehicles, whether registered or unregistered, shall be prohibited within the Village of North Haven as the noise they emanate disturbs the peace, tranquility, health and safety of the Village: off-road-type recreational vehicles, including but not limited to vehicles commonly referred to as dirt bikes, mini-bikes, go cart, side-by-sides, gasoline-powered motorized scooters, gasoline-powered golf carts (except in connection with property maintenance and then only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), snow mobiles (except during a declared snow emergency), all-terrain vehicles (except in connection with property maintenance and then only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), dune buggies, utility terrain vehicles (except in connection with property maintenance and then only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), any vehicle propelled by a two-stroke or four-stroke engine.

[Added 7-19-2022 by L.L. No. 6-2022]