Installing a Back-up Generator in Scarsdale? Here is What You Need to Know

With the increasing frequency of local power outages there has been an uptick in interest among homeowners in the installation of automatic standby generators to power their homes during the 4-5 period it usually takes for Con Edison to restore electricity to Scarsdale.

However, recently residents who sought to install emergency generators spotted some issues with Village Code.

Regulations stipulate that the noise level of the generator measured from the nearest property line shall not exceed 55 decibels – but there are no generators available that meet this requirement. According to Salvatore Pace of Pace Electric in New Rochelle, the quietest generator on the market emits 62-65 decibels of sound.

Those who live on smaller lots may also find that the Village Code is too restrictive. According to the regulations, if the generator is placed outside the house, it must be placed in the backyard, set back twenty (20’) feet from the rear and side yard property lines.

Practically speaking, on a lot that measures 75 by 150 feet containing a 3,000 square foot home, the rear yard might be only 60 feet deep and 75 feet wide. If the generator needs to be 20 feet away from the side and rear property lines it could conceivably become the centerpiece of the backyard.

A meeting of the West Quaker Ridge and Middle Heathcote-Murray Hill Neighborhood Associations was held to discuss these issues, and as a consequence, Scarsdale Trustee Jon Mark announced that the Trustees Law Committee will review the code.

We asked Assistant Village Manager John Goodwin for some background on the code, and here is what we learned:

According to an email from Goodwin, “The Village's Local Law that pertains to permanent emergency generators, §310-7(S), limits the decibel level emitted from generators to 55 decibels as measured at the nearest property line and certified by an acoustical engineer. Thus, generators are permitted to emit more than 55 decibels at the unit itself, as long as the decibel level is decreased to 55 decibels at the nearest property line. Further, the Village law requires the use of appropriate sound-attenuating architectural materials and landscaped screening to minimize the visual and sound impact on adjacent properties. If after the permanent emergency generator is installed the decibel level is higher than 55 decibels, the Village requires additional sound-attenuating screening until the noise level can be certified by an acoustical engineer at 55 decibels.

When the Village was considering this law in 2006, staff researched and spoke with manufactures. The Village was assured that 55 decibels as measured from the nearest property line was achievable with the permanent emergency generators on the market as evidenced by the 100 building permits for permanent emergency generators issued since the law was adopted in late 2006.”

Have you installed a generator at your home or are you considering the installation of a generator? What do you think about the current regulations? Post your comments below.