You can report noise coming from a bar, club, or restaurant, including loud music.
For loud music complaints, if you include your name and address in your report, you will receive a City survey from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). When you return the survey reporting a chronic issue, depending upon your request, City officials will either schedule an appointment to take noise level readings in your home or conduct an inspection from the public street. The establishment you report will be fined when appropriate.
What Happens Next
Officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) will respond within 8 hours when they are not handling emergencies. They will be able to take action if the noise is still happening when they arrive. If you make multiple complaints within 8 hours, police may only respond once.
Recurring Loud Music
If you file another loud music complaint within six months of previously submitting a survey, that resulted in a DEP inspection, DEP will automatically enter another request for an inspection on your behalf in the DEP complaint system.
Legal Noise Limits
Between 10 PM and 7 AM, music from bars and restaurants may not exceed 42 decibels when measured from inside nearby residences OR may not exceed 7 decibels over the surrounding area sound level when measured on a public street 15 or more feet away from source.
