Noise Ordinances in Quincy, MA

Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In Quincy, Massachusetts, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Decibel Limits

Quincy, Massachusetts (Norfolk County) caps noise reaching a receiving property at 75 dBA daytime/65 dBA nighttime in residential noise areas and 77 dBA daytime/72 dBA nighttime in nonresidential noise areas, measured on the receiving property.

Key details: Residential daytime cap: 75 dBA. Residential nighttime cap: 65 dBA. Nonresidential daytime cap: 77 dBA. Nonresidential nighttime cap: 72 dBA. Fine: $100 per day, per section.

Exceeding the applicable dBA ceiling for the receiving area and time of day violates § 215-4; the Department of Inspectional Services enforces it under § 215-10 with a $100-per-day fine per section violated.

Construction Hours

Quincy, Massachusetts (Norfolk County) limits construction noise to 75 dBA, or 85 dBA with an approved plan, only from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays; outside those hours, the citywide ambient noise caps apply instead.

Key details: Allowed hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Base noise cap: 75 dBA. With approved plan: 85 dBA. Off-hours standard: § 215-4 limits apply. Enforcing agency: Dept. of Inspectional Services.

Violating the construction noise cap is a separate offense each day; the City can fine $100 per day and issue a stop-work order of 3 to 7 working days for repeat violations at the same site.

Leaf Blower Rules

Quincy, Massachusetts (Norfolk County) exempts residential landscaping equipment, including leaf blowers, from its noise chapter as long as it is maintained per the manufacturer's specifications, with no separate time-of-day cap stated for that exemption.

Key details: Exempted equipment: Residential landscaping equipment. Condition: Used per manufacturer specifications. Stated time restriction: None in § 215-8(A). Listed as noise example: § 215-2, 'continuous noise'.

A leaf blower or similar residential landscaping equipment used outside manufacturer specifications loses the § 215-8(A) exemption and becomes subject to the § 215-4 dBA limits and § 215-10 enforcement by the Department of Inspectional Services.

Quincy is more permissive than most cities when it comes to leaf blower rules. That said, there are still limits.

Barking Dogs

Quincy Code Article III (Animal Control) prohibits owners or keepers from allowing animals to disturb the quiet of any person by barking, howling, biting, or other manner. Violations can be enforced through noncriminal complaint.

Key details: Code Section: Quincy Code Art. III (Animal Control). Fine: $50 per offense (noncriminal). Enforcement: Animal Control: (617) 479-1212. Also covered by: Ch. 215 noise ordinance.

Noncriminal complaint penalty of $50 per offense. Noise ordinance violations carry $100/day fines if pursued under Chapter 215.

Quiet Hours

Quincy regulates noise under Chapter 215 of the City Code, adopted June 7, 2010 (Order No. 2010-114). Residential zones may not exceed 75 dBA from 7 AM–5 PM weekdays or 9 AM–5 PM weekends; after 5 PM the limit drops to 65 dBA.

Key details: Code Section: Quincy Code Ch. 215. Daytime Limit (weekday): 75 dBA, 7 AM–5 PM. Daytime Limit (weekend): 75 dBA, 9 AM–5 PM. Evening Limit: 65 dBA after 5 PM. Fine: $100/day per violation.

$100 per day fine for each violation. Each day a violation continues is a separate punishable offense. License holders who accumulate three violations within 12 months face a Board of Licensing Commissioners disciplinary hearing. The city may also seek injunctive relief.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Quincy, Massachusetts (Norfolk County) exempts permitted street events from its noise chapter only when the sound is not electronically amplified, so amplified music or voice stays subject to the city's maximum dBA limits.

Key details: Amplified-sound exemption: None: must meet dBA limits. Non-amplified event window: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.. Governing limits: § 215-4 maximum dBA table. Enforcing agency: Dept. of Inspectional Services.

Running amplified music or a PA system at an outdoor event above the § 215-4 dBA limits is a violation even if the event itself is permitted, since § 215-8(D)'s exemption applies only to non-amplified sound; enforcement is by the Department of Inspectional Services under § 215-10.

The Bottom Line

Quincy'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 Quincy is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Quincy's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.