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What times are your neighbors allowed to do loud yard-work?

By: Kyle Morel
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... Virtually everyone knows the feeling of waking up earlier than expected to a neighbor's leaf blower, lawnmower or other loud yard-work equipment in the morning.
..... These rude awakenings are undoubtedly annoying, especially for those who have a limited number of days to sleep in. But are they legal?
..... In short, the answer depends on the town, the time of day and the noise level. most New Jersey municipalities have ordinances that place restrictions on when residents can sue loud equipment, as well as how loud the device can be.
..... Here is what to know to avoid running afoul of the law, as well and to keep a cordial relationship with your neighbors.

Noise regulations

..... In New Jersey, the Noise Control Act allows maximum sound levels of 65 decibels from 7 AM. to 10 PM., and 50 decibels for the remaining nine hours. The model noise control ordinance provided by the Department of environmental Protection states that the sound that may jeopardize the health, welfare, or safety of the citizens or degrade the quality of life."
..... Municipal officials can decide to set even striker parameters for enforcing the noise restrictions.
..... The ordinance in Tenafly, for example, permits landscaping form 7 AM. to 7 PM. on weekdays, 9 AM to 5 PM. on Saturdays and 10 AM. to 5 PM. on Sundays and holidays. In Randolph the decibel threshold is set at different levels based on whether the sound is in a residential, commercial or industrial zone, or in a "multi-dwelling unit building."
..... Some North Jersey towns have gone even further in recent years to limit the amount of yard-work residents can perform, specifically regarding leaf blowers. Maplewood and Montclair are among the municipalities that have outright banned gas-powered blowers, and the latter case withstood a challenge in court from landscaping companies late last year. [2024]
..... In 2023, approved in a Morristown referendum approved a measure that banned the sue of gas-power blowers from January through September after a proposed ordinance failed to pass at a council meeting earlier in the year.
..... The move was touted as a way to reduce noise and environmental pollution in Morristown by promoting the use of electric blowers instead. Opponents of the law said plenty of other noise sources are more of an issue than leaf blowers, and some contended that electric blowers can be even louder than the gas-powered devices.
..... The measure went into effect at the start of 2024, but as the weather warmed up last spring, questions remained as to whether the town could and would enforce it.

Dealing with neighbors

..... Because there are laws prohibiting excessive loud noise, residents are within their rights to contact police if their neighbors are not complying. However, the Online legal resource FindLaw suggests considering "less adversarial ways" to deal with the problem before going to the authorities.
..... The most straightforward solution is to simply talk with the neighbors about the issue. you can also warn them by sending them a copy of the local noise ordinance, or the housing agreement if you live in an apartment or other community residence, with the relevant language highlighted.

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