What time is it illegal to mow your lawn? Know the rules in Rochester
While necessary, it can be frustrating if people enjoy taking care of their lawns early in the morning or late at night while you're trying to sleep, but there are laws governing when you can landscape and maintain your yard.
Here's what to know.
Yes, there are yardwork-related noise regulations throughout the Rochester area, but they vary between municipalities. Here's a look at the noise ordinances in the city of Rochester, Irondequoit, Greece, Brighton and Henrietta:
: You can use lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, tillers, mulchers, chippers and other lawncare devices between the hours of 8 a.m. and sunset.
: You can't use certain machinery if it creates excessive noise at the premises' property line, including lawn mowers, between the hours of 10 p.m. and 9 a.m.
: You can use lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, tiller, mulchers, chippers and other lawncare devices between the hours of 8 a.m. and sunset.
: There aren't specific noise ordinances relating to lawncare but "the creation of any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise is prohibited."
: You can't use any motor-driven vehicle, including lawnmowers, without "an adequate muffler properly installed and maintained."
It differs.
If you violate a yardwork-related noise regulation, penalties range from fines to imprisonment. For example, first offenses in the city of Rochester come with a fine of $200, second offenses, $400, and third and subsequent offenses, $600. In the towns of Irondequoit and Greece, you could face fines or up to 15 days of imprisonment.
See the list: Explore 5 lesser-known spring destinations in the Finger Lakes
Since there are restrictions in many Rochester-area municipalities — most of which are enforced by local police departments — you can report the issue to your local police department or even take legal action by filing a claim in small claims court or a lawsuit in civil court, according to online legal resource FindLaw.
However, your best first step may be to try and talk to your neighbors about your concerns and possibly share your local noise ordinance with them so they're aware of it.
Emily Barnes on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network's New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: What time is it illegal to mow your lawn? Know the rules in Rochester
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