How Revere Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Revere maintains 121 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with noise ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Revere falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Vehicle Noise

Revere bars sounding a vehicle horn or signaling device except as a danger warning, and separately bars repairing, rebuilding or testing a motor vehicle, motorcycle or motorboat loudly enough to be plainly audible beyond the property line. Both are standing violations enforced any time of day.

Key details: Horn rule: Danger-warning use only. Repair/testing standard: Plainly audible past the lot line. Applies: Any time of day. Fine: $300 per day. Section: § 9.08.100.D.1, D.4.

Illegal horn use or loud vehicle repair/testing draws a noncriminal citation of $300 per day of continuing violation under G.L. c. 40, Section 21D, or a misdemeanor complaint carrying a $300 fine on conviction, issued by Revere Police or Inspectional Services under Section 9.08.070. A court injunction may also be sought to stop repeat noise.

Decibel Limits

Revere caps outdoor noise with a Single Number Equivalent limit measured at the property's lot line under Table 9.08.090: 60 dB(A) by day and 50 dB(A) at night in residential districts, 65/55 dB(A) in the PDD overlay, and a flat 65 or 70 dB(A) at any hour in business and industrial districts.

Key details: Residential limit: 60 dB(A) day / 50 dB(A) night. PDD overlay limit: 65 dB(A) day / 55 dB(A) night. Business districts: 65 dB(A) at any hour. Industrial districts: 70 dB(A) at any hour. Measured at: Property lot line.

Section 9.08.070 lets enforcement officers order remedial action or issue a citation carrying a fine of three hundred dollars for each day a measured violation continues, and a court conviction on the same conduct is punishable as a misdemeanor with a further three-hundred-dollar fine. The city can also seek an injunction against the offending equipment and may suspend or, after a hearing, revoke any license or permit connected to the noise source.

Leaf Blower Rules

Revere restricts outdoor use of lawn and garden tools, including leaf blowers, to 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with no operation allowed on Sundays or holidays. The rule sits in the same noise-control subsection as construction and street-sales hours.

Key details: Permitted hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.. Permitted days: Monday through Saturday. Covered tools: Lawn/garden tools, saws, drills, sanders, grinders. Fine: $300 per day. Section: § 9.08.100.B.4.

A violation is enforced under Section 9.08.070 by the Revere Police Department or the Department of Inspectional Services, either through a noncriminal citation carrying a $300 per-day fine under G.L. c. 40, Section 21D, or through a misdemeanor complaint carrying a $300 fine on conviction. Officers may also order remedial action to stop the noise.

Construction Hours

Revere limits construction, drilling and demolition noise to 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and bars it entirely on Sundays and holidays under the city's noise control chapter. The Revere Police Department and Department of Inspectional Services enforce the window.

Key details: Permitted hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.. Permitted days: Monday through Saturday. Sundays/holidays: Construction noise prohibited entirely. Fine: $300 per day, noncriminal citation. Enforcing agencies: Revere Police, Inspectional Services.

A first citation runs $300 per day the violation continues, issued under G.L. c. 40, Section 21D by the Revere Police Department or Inspectional Services. A criminal complaint can instead be filed for a misdemeanor carrying a $300 fine on conviction. Enforcement officers may also suspend or, after a hearing, revoke a building or demolition permit, and a court may issue an injunction to stop ongoing noise.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Revere bans running a radio, musical instrument, sound amplifier, loudspeaker or public address system so loudly that it is plainly audible from the building, structure, vehicle or dwelling where the sound originates. The rule is a standing violation, not limited to certain hours.

Key details: Standard: Plainly audible from source building/vehicle. Applies: Any time, not limited to daytime hours. Fine: $300 per day. Enforcing agencies: Revere Police, Inspectional Services. Section: § 9.08.100.D.2.

Playing amplified sound audible outside the source building or vehicle is enforced under Section 9.08.070: a noncriminal citation of $300 for each day the noise continues under G.L. c. 40, Section 21D, or a misdemeanor complaint on conviction carrying a $300 fine, issued by Revere Police or Inspectional Services. A court injunction can also order the equipment silenced.

Barking Dogs

Barking dogs addressed under Revere Code Title 6 (Animals) and general nuisance provisions. Excessive barking complaints handled by Revere Animal Control. Dogs must be licensed annually under MGL c. 140 §137.

Key details: Code: Revere Code Title 6 / MGL c. 140. Enforcement: Revere Animal Control. Dog License: Annual required (MGL c. 140 §137). Nuisance Standard: Excessive barking = civil violation.

Nuisance animal violations carry fines under local ordinance. Dangerous dog determinations under MGL c. 140 Section 157 may require confinement or restrictions.

Quiet Hours

Revere enforces noise complaints under Title 9 (Public Peace, Safety & Welfare) of its Code of Ordinances. No published single decibel limit; enforcement uses MassDEP 310 CMR 7.10 standard (ambient +10 dB at property line). Residential disturbances enforced by Revere Police.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 11 PM – 7 AM (typical enforcement). Standard: MassDEP 310 CMR 7.10 (+10 dB ambient). Code: Revere Code Title 9. Enforcement: Revere Police Dept.

Noise violations enforced through local ordinance fines and state MassDEP policy. Complaints filed through Revere Police Department.

The Bottom Line

Revere'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 Revere is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Revere can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.