NEW YORK – New Yorkers can now help monitor disruptive noise in their neighborhoods through a new city app launched by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The “NYC Noise” app lets users measure decibel levels and categorize the type of sound, from construction and traffic to alarms, music, or animal noises.
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Users record the time, location, and noise type with a brief reading. While submissions won’t be used for direct enforcement or record audio, the data will help the DEP pinpoint noise hotspots and patterns by location and time of day.
“Noise is a major quality-of-life issue in New York City,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala. “This tool gives residents a voice while helping inspectors focus on the areas that need attention most.”
The app complements the city’s existing “noise cameras,” which monitor loud vehicles and music, generating millions in fines in recent years. In 2024, the city received over 700,000 noise complaints through 311, including thousands related to late-night construction.
Construction equipment, such as jackhammers and power saws, can reach 110 decibels, far above the city’s 42-decibel limit for noise entering neighboring homes. The app aims to provide precise data to help inspectors schedule visits when problems are most likely to occur.
DEP officials described the app as intuitive and easy to use, allowing New Yorkers to play an active role in creating a quieter city.
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