Noise Ordinances in Nashua, NH

If you live in Nashua or are thinking about moving there, noise ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Nashua has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Barking Dogs

Nashua treats sustained or nighttime animal noise, including barking dogs, as a nuisance once an owner is asked to stop and fails to act.

Key details: Nuisance threshold: 30+ min continuous, or 10pm-6am. Trigger for violation: owner fails to abate after request. Governing section: § 93-13. Penalty section: § 93-14, per City Code § 1-12.

Guilty of a violation, punishable under Nashua Code § 1-12, after failing to abate the noise once requested.

Decibel Limits

Nashua caps noise from exterior mechanical equipment on nonresidential buildings at 50 decibels from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 45 decibels from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., measured at any lot line abutting a residential zoning district.

Key details: Daytime limit: 50 dB (7 a.m.-8 p.m.). Nighttime limit: 45 dB (8 p.m.-7 a.m.). Applies to: exterior mechanical equipment, nonresidential buildings. Measured at: any abutting residential district lot line. Governing section: § 190-172(F), Land Use Code.

Enforced by the Zoning Administrator and Code Enforcement Department as a site-plan/zoning standard; zoning violations are punishable under RSA 676:11 through 676:19.

Vehicle Noise

Nashua bans car stereos audible beyond 50 feet, straight-pipe exhaust without a legal muffler, racing engines, and unnecessary horn use, enforced under Chapter 201 with fines starting at $100 per violation.

Key details: Stereo audibility limit: Not audible beyond 50 feet. Exhaust rule: No straight-pipe exhaust without muffler. Minimum fine: $100 per violation. Governing chapter: City Code Chapter 201, Noise.

Fined at least $100 per violation; officers issue a written cease-and-abate order, and each day of continued noise after that order is a separate offense (§ 201-3).

Quiet Hours

Nashua bans yelling, shouting, whistling, and singing on public streets between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., and treats amplified sound audible 50 feet away as a violation at any hour.

Key details: Curfew hours: 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Covered conduct: yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, singing. Amplified sound standard: audible 50 feet, any hour. Minimum fine: $100 per § 201-3. Enforcing agency: Nashua Police Department.

Violation, fined not less than $100 under § 201-3; violators also get a written order to cease or abate, and each day of continued noncompliance is a separate offense.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Nashua bans playing radios, stereos, loudspeakers or sound amplifiers so as to disturb neighbors' peace. Sound clearly audible more than 50 feet from the source building is automatic (prima facie) proof of a violation: a bright-line test for outdoor concerts and live amplified music.

Key details: Trigger: Audible past 50 feet from source. Minimum fine: $100 per § 201-3(A). Enforcement: Nashua Police Department. Stadium exemption: Holman & Stellos Stadium sporting events. Repeat violations: Each day is a separate offense.

Minimum $100 fine per § 201-3(A). Violators get a written order to cease or abate; if the noise continues after the order or resumes within 24 hours, each additional day is a separate offense under § 1-12.

Aircraft Noise

Nashua's Noise Overlay District bans certain land uses and requires soundproofing near Boire Field based on the airport's Part 150 Noise Compatibility Plan and mapped sound-level zones.

Key details: Governing plan: Boire Field FAA Part 150 plan. Trigger: Yearly day-night average sound level (Ldn). Loudest zones: Residential, schools, hospitals barred outright. Mid-range zones: Soundproofing required before building permit. Pre-filing step: FAA Form 7460-1 submitted to FAA.

Building without required soundproofing, or applying for approval without a submitted FAA Form 7460-1, can block permit issuance under § 190-21A(3) and E(2) until compliance is demonstrated.

Compared to other cities, Nashua takes a harder line on aircraft noise. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Construction Hours

Nashua bars construction and demolition noise in residential zones, or within 600 feet of any dwelling, from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weeknights and 7 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday and holidays.

Key details: Quiet hours (weeknights): 8:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.. Quiet hours (weekend/holiday): 7:00 p.m. Sat-8:00 a.m. Sun/holiday. Where it applies: Residential zones + 600 ft of any dwelling. Minimum fine: $100 per offense. Enforced by: Nashua Police, Code Enforcement, Zoning.

First violation: fined not less than $100 plus a written cease-and-abate order. Non-compliance or a repeat within 24 hours is a separate offense each day, punished under the general penalty in § 1-12.

The Bottom Line

Nashua's noise ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Nashua is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Nashua's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.