How Early Is Too Early For Loud Yard Work?

We’ve all been there where we have a neighbor who is using a lawnmower at the crack of dawn or in the middle of the night while you’re trying to sleep. Not only is it annoying, but it can be disruptive, especially if it’s a repeated offense. That said, you might be wondering, well, how early is too early for yard work?

To get to the bottom of this, we spoke with an expert and did some research about when yard work is allowed. Hint: The answer is not straightforward and is a bit more complex than you may think.

Are There Laws Against Loud Yard Work in the Morning?

According to Corey Buescher, a handyperson expert at Frontdoor, there are usually local noise ordinances that regulate when loud activities like yard work (mowing, leaf blowing, using chainsaws, etc.) can start, especially in the morning. “While sunrise and sunset can influence local rules, most noise ordinances are based on fixed clock times, not natural light,” he tells Family Handyman. “These laws vary by city, county, or municipality.”

How early is too early for yard work?

When thinking about how early is too early for yard work, in most places, that’ll be any time earlier than 7 AM or 8 AM. Think about it this way — if a majority of people are probably still sleeping, then it’s probably too early. If you’re eager to get out into the yard, then you could quietly pull some weeds or perhaps do some gardening without loud equipment until it’s a bit later.

How Loud Is Yard Work?

It’s not just that loud yard sounds are loud early in the morning, but it actually is loud all the time. According to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, leaf blowers and weed wackers can reach between 85 to 100 decibels (dB). “Sounds above 85 dB -can be heard easily at distances of several hundred feet, depending on background noise, wind, and obstacles,” says Buescher.

With that in mind, prolonged exposure to loud noises such as those from a lawnmower or leaf blower could, over time, lead to noise-induced hearing loss for both yourself and potential nearby neighbors, so it’s important to proceed with caution.

How to Find Out How Early You Can Do Loud Yard Work

It’s fairly easy to find out how early you can do loud yard work. All it requires is a simple Google search with your location. For example, if you search “Brooklyn New York noise ordinance .gov,” you’ll find a government-sponsored webpage with information about noise from lawn care equipment and the time frame in which using it is permitted. In New York City, it’s permitted on weekdays between 8 AM and 7 PM and on weekends between 9 AM and 6 PM.

Aside from searching online, Buescher suggests calling your non-emergency local police line to see if they have information on the hours and to file a complaint if someone is consistently breaking the code.

If you live in an HOA community or apartment complex, Buescher recommends contacting them about this topic because they often have stricter guidelines than the city.

Yard Work Etiquette

When it comes to yard work etiquette, the most important thing is to be considerate of your neighbors and surroundings.

Leaf blowers, lawnmowers, and weed wackers can be noisy, and that’s okay — the job needs to get done somehow, but just use your best judgment in terms of timing so you’re not being disrespectful of other people’s time and peace. “A quick heads-up to nearby neighbors goes a long way. It shows consideration and helps prevent misunderstandings,” says Buescher.

Additionally, you’ll want to keep property lines in mind. Be mindful of where your property ends and someone else begins and make sure you don’t leave clippings or debris behind when you’re done.

About The Experts

• Corey Buescher, a virtual handyperson expert at Frontdoor.

Sources

• NYC 311: Noise from Lawn Equipment

• Dartmouth Health: Don’t Let Yard Work Cost You Your Hearing

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