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Hempstead

New York · town
Partial or Seasonal Ban Generic dB cap

Ban status

Decibel-based de facto GLB constraint via Town Code Chapter 144 (Unreasonable Noise). Two enforceable mechanisms across a property boundary: (1) §144-3M explicitly names "lawn or garden tool" — operation that creates an unreasonable noise across a property line is restricted to weekdays 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. (amended 2017-06-20 by L.L. No. 52-2017); (2) §144-5 imposes octave-band decibel ceilings on any "mechanism or device which shall create a noise within the Town of Hempstead" — Table II (steady-state, all hours) caps at 72 dB at 63 Hz declining to 32 dB at 8000 Hz, and Table I (transient) caps at 92 dB / 52 dB across the same band with a 12-second daytime / 6-second nighttime duration trigger. Typical GLB output of 85–100+ dB(A) for sustained periods exceeds §144-5 Table II across most of the audible spectrum, providing a credible enforcement hook against routine GLB use across a property line even though Chapter 144 contains no fuel-source-specific language. NO formal fuel-source distinction.

Enacted: 1950-09-12 In effect since: 1983-11-07
Codified at https://ecode360.com/15516266 (Chapter 144). Original ordinance Ord. No. 25 adopted 1950-09-12, effective 1950-11-20. Amended in its entirety 1983-11-01 by L.L. No. 99-1983 (effective 1983-11-07); §144-3M lawn-equipment subsection most recently amended 2017-06-20 by L.L. No. 52-2017 (effective 2017-06-29). The chapter applies only to the unincorporated portion of the Town; the 22 incorporated villages within the Town (including Atlantic Beach and Garden City, tracked separately) have their own codes. enacted_date pinned to the original 1950 adoption; the modern decibel framework dates to the 1983 entire-chapter rewrite. Verified 2026-05-05.
Last updated: Jun 2, 2026

Research & citations

New York context

Pending Three state bills — rebate passed both chambers, sale + seasonal use still pending

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