How do I make a noise complaint?

Some of our neighbors have been very effective at curbing excessive noise on the streets.  After speaking to them about their tactics, it is clear that persistence is key.  You simply must log a complaint with 311 and contact the managers or owners of the entity or equipment that is making noise.  All construction crews must display the contact information of the construction manager.  To log a complaint, you can call 311 or file it online with the New York City 311.

For an immediate noise problem (if it's not a police emergency), please call Midtown North Precinct, our local precinct, tel. (212) 767-8400.

For an ongoing illegal noise complaint, in addition to filing a 311 complaint, file a complaint with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, tel. (718) 337-4357 or by email, in addition to filing a 311 complaint.

For a compilation of rules regarding construction and music noise, please visit the DEP website at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/noise/index.shtml.

It also helps to describe the best anti-noise practices to the construction workers.  They don’t always realize that people live in Midtown, so a polite reminder may go a long way.   Here is a brief summary of our recommendations to them:

- use stationary dumpsters and cart them away to non-residential locations;

- limit the hours of demolition to the hours allowed for construction, i.e. 7 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday;

- conduct all grinding inside the loading docks and other enclosed locations, to the extent possible; and

- use noise-muffling equipment.