The State of New Jersey's Noise Control Act of 1971 authorized the NJDEP to promulgate codes, rules and regulations relating to the control and abatement of noise. The Department has developed a Model Noise Ordinance that can be adopted by local municipalities. The Noise Control Act allows municipalities to adopt noise control ordinances that are more stringent than the State code.

All municipal noise ordinances must be identical to the posted Model Local Noise Control Ordinance to be considered approved by the Department. Department approved Model Noise Control Ordinances predating the most recently posted version will be considered grandfathered.  

The NJDEP promulgated noise regulations to control noise from stationary commercial and industrial sources in 1974, pursuant to the Noise Control Act of 1971, N.J.S.A. 13:1G-1 et seq. Within the noise regulations, there are established sound level standards of 50 decibels during nighttime (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) and 65 decibels during daytime.