Mayor Bill de Blasio this week signed legislation into law, authored by Council Member Ben Kallos in collaboration with DEP, aimed at reducing overnight and weekend construction noise and making New York City more livable. Intro. 1653-B allows inspectors to take noise readings from the roadway or sidewalk, rather than requiring that the reading be taken from inside of a complainant’s apartment, empowers inspectors to shut down equipment that is too loud, and calls for new rules for responding when the noise is most likely to happen again. In addition, construction companies will be required to electronically file noise mitigation plans, which will make it easier for inspectors and the public to review online.

“Noise pollution has gotten out of control when your alarm clock has been replaced by a jackhammer. But the incessant din of construction doesn’t have to be the reality of living in a big city. We can do something about it,” said de Blasio. “This legislation is giving city inspectors the tools they need to damp down the racket, protecting New Yorkers’ health and offering some peace and quiet in the city that never sleeps.”

“Working with the City Council, this legislation will empower our noise inspectors with new tools to more effectively enforce the City’s Noise Code,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza.  “By lowering the allowable after hours noise limit in residential areas, allowing inspectors to take noise readings from the street, rather than from inside an apartment, and empowering inspectors with the ability to issue a stop work order for noisy equipment, this legislation should help bring some much needed relief to New Yorkers.”

“New York City may be the city that never sleeps but that shouldn’t be because of after hours construction noise waking you up. Our new law will turn down the volume on after hours construction noise in residential neighborhoods,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “Thank you to Mayor Bill de Blasio for signing this bill into law and to Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Vincent Sapienza for his agencies expertise and collaboration on this legislation, as well as to the countless residents who have complained regularly about after-hours noise, which led to this legislation to keep our city a little bit quieter.”