SHHH! Quiet is the law!

It may be the City that Never Sleeps, but from now on, New York will have to be a whole lot quieter. The city's new noise code, signed in 2005 by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, went into effect Sunday, July 1, to a mixed response from Queens residents.
The law was originally proposed by Bloomberg, and then sent to the City Council's Environmental Protection Committee (ECP) for review. Its highlights include strictly-enforced laws against loud car stereos, time restrictions for trash trucks and other municipal vehicles, and measures to lessen noise pollution from city construction sites. In addition, ice cream trucks will be required to turn off their bells and jingles when stopped.
&#8220No question about it, New York will be a much quieter, healthier place to live,” said Councilmember James F. Gennaro, who chairs the ECP. &#8220New Yorkers will be able to find a little peace and quiet.”
Gennaro said that subjective, private matters like house parties are not directly dealt with under the new noise code, but the Councilmember assured that &#8220remedies still exist” for citizens who want to complain about loud neighbors. They can dial 3-1-1 or call their local councilmember, Gennaro said.
The noise code, on the other hand, looks to institute systematic, objective means to lessen noise pollution.
That means that any police officer able to hear a car's stereo system from at least 25 feet away can issue a ticket; that commercial establishments like bars must keep their music below 45 decibels; and that contracting companies must take measures to decrease noise from instruments such as air compressors and pile drivers.
&#8220As a whole, it will make everything a costly venture,” said Greg Levine, who owns Complete Construction Corporation of Bayside. &#8220The cost of construction is going up, period. One piece of soundproof 4-by-8 sheetrock is $40.”
&#8220People have made it very clear that they want it to be a little quieter,” said Michael Saucier, a spokesperson for the City Department of Environmental Protection. &#8220The goal is to lower the volume of noise a little bit, and in the long run, it will be better for all New Yorkers.”
&#8220The noise doesn't bother me as much as it used to,” said Joe McMann, of Bayside. &#8220But I'm glad about the ice cream trucks [being required to turn off their jingles]; he should change his song, instead of playing the same one the whole time.”
Gennaro announced plans within the next month to publish a citizen's guide to the noise policies.
Highlights of the noise code include:
A requirement for all ice cream trucks to turn off their music when stopped.
General contractors and construction workers must develop plans to lessen noise at job sites.
Bars and clubs will be subject to new, more specific noise standards.
Trash trucks and motorcycles will be restricted, especially during night and early-morning hours.
Restrictions will be placed on the amount of time a dog or other potentially noisy domestic animal may spend outside during the night and early-morning hours.
No driver may play music through a car stereo audible from more than 25 feet away.