In late 2023, the Yonkers City Council voted to significantly increase the city’s noise limits. The Council made this major policy decision without expert input on health impacts, quality of life considerations, or noise policies in other cities. There were no public hearings or attempts to seek community input. [Watch the Council video] [Read the transcript]
Council Member Tasha Diaz (3rd District) sponsored the ordinance change and presented it at the October 24, 2023 meeting of the Environmental Policy and Protection Committee, which she chairs. In her brief presentation, Diaz argued that noise limits should be increased because residents were making too many unreasonable noise complaints to police. “I want people to be able to enjoy,” she said. “People are calling the police because they’re having people over at their pool or they’re enjoying their summers. And I just think that’s not fair.”
Tasha Diaz (Dist. 3)
While Diaz spoke about apartment residents facing unfair noise complaints, the ordinance only applies to “residential dwellings,” not multifamily dwellings. The change specifically gives new latitude for noise made by “sound-reproduction systems” and doubles the distance for measuring noise violations from 50 to 100 feet.
The measure passed on November 13 in a 5-2 party-line vote. Supporting Democrats included Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy, Deana R. Robinson (Dist. 1), Corazon Pineda Isaac (Dist. 2), Tasha Diaz (Dist. 3, then Majority Leader), and John Rubbo (Dist. 4). The only opposition came from Republicans Anthony Merante (Dist. 6) and Mike Breen (Dist. 5).
Odd Coincidence
On the same night the City Council Environmental Policy and Protection Committee supported an increase in the Yonker’s noise limits, the group considered a proposal to introduce traffic noise cameras in the city. The health impact of noise was cited:
“Health officials and experts have drawn a direct connection between excessive noise and health issues, including loss or diminishment of hearing, increased heart-beat, nervousness, stress and anxiety.”
What The Research Says
The WHO identifies major sources of environmental noise, including road, railway, and air traffic, as well as construction activities. Exposure to such noise can lead to adverse health effects, such as cardiovascular diseases, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairment.
Indoor sound levels should be below 30 dB(A) at night to ensure good sleep quality and below 35 dB(A) in classrooms to facilitate effective teaching and learning. For night noise, the WHO advises that annual average levels outside bedrooms should remain under 40 dB(A) to prevent negative health outcomes.
Research indicates that noise pollution not only contributes to hearing loss and tinnitus but also exacerbates conditions like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep disturbances, and mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
A systematic review found that individuals aged 45 and older with higher residential noise exposure had increased odds of cognitive impairment, highlighting the impact of environmental noise on cognitive health.
