The new noise code gives residents many options to determine what type of noise we don't have to tolerate. A detailed post on the entire thing will follow soon, until then it is recommend to read the city's noise code guide.
A few things from the guide that are very interesting:
Page 3 - Sounds of the City
- Estimated decibel levels of Normal Conversation/Laughter - 50-65 db (one wonders how much higher the loud conversations in front of the bars really are).
Page 13 - Music from Bars and Restaurants
"Commercial establishments that play music must limit the level of unreasonable or disturbing noise that escapes into the streets or nearby residences."
"Sound levels may not exceed 42 decibels as measured from within nearby residences OR may not exceed 7 decibels over the ambient sound level, as measured on a street or public right-of-way 15 feet or more from the source, between 10:00 pm and 7 am."
View the full New York City Noise Code Guide.
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