Noise Ordinances in Boston, MA (2026)
9 verified noise ordinances for Boston, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Boston Municipal Code 16-26 sets clear decibel limits enforced by police with sound level meters. Nighttime threshold of 50 dB is among the strictest in Massachusetts.
Boston Quiet Hours & Noise Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsConstruction Hours
Boston limits construction to weekdays only, 7 AM to 6 PM, with no weekend or holiday work unless an Off Hours Permit is obtained from Inspectional Services.
Boston Construction Noise Hours
Heavy RestrictionsBarking Dogs
Boston regulates barking dogs under its general noise ordinance and state nuisance law. Persistent barking exceeding decibel thresholds can result in fines and animal control intervention.
Boston Barking Dog Regulations
Some RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, Sec. 157 (Nuisance or Dangerous Dogs — Barking Alone Not Grounds; Remedial Action for Nuisance Dog)
Any person may file a complaint in writing to the hearing authority that a dog owned or kept in the city or town is a nuisance dog or a dangerous dog; provided, however, that no dog shall be deemed dangerous: (i) solely based upon growling or barking or solely growling and barking; (ii) based upon the breed of the dog... If the hearing authority deems a dog a nuisance dog, the hearing authority...
Leaf Blower Rules
Boston regulates leaf blowers under the Air Pollution Control Commission noise rules and City Code 16-26. Gas blowers are allowed with daytime hour limits and no citywide ban.
Noise: Leaf Blower Rules
Some RestrictionsAmplified Music & Events
Boston prohibits amplified music audible beyond 50 feet from the source between 11 PM and 7 AM under the Air Pollution Control Commission noise regulation and City Code 16-26.
Noise: Amplified Music
Heavy RestrictionsMGL c.272 § 53 — Penalty for certain offenses (Disorderly Persons / Noisy Houses)
Section 53. (a) Common night walkers, common street walkers, both male and female, persons who with offensive and disorderly acts or language accost or annoy another person, lewd, wanton and lascivious persons in speech or behavior, keepers of noisy and disorderly houses, and persons guilty of indecent exposure shall be punished by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than...
Aircraft Noise
Logan International Airport, located within Boston, generates significant aircraft noise affecting East Boston, South Boston, and surrounding communities. Massport operates one of the nation's largest sound insulation programs.
Boston Aircraft Noise Regulations & Airport Compatibility
Heavy RestrictionsIndustrial Noise
Boston caps industrial and commercial noise under the Air Pollution Control Commission noise regulation. Fixed-source equipment cannot exceed 10 dBA above ambient at the property line.
Noise: Industrial Noise
Heavy RestrictionsDecibel Limits
The Boston APCC noise regulation sets a daytime limit of 70 dBA and a nighttime limit of 50 dBA at residential property lines, plus a plainly audible standard at 50 feet.
Noise: Decibel Limits
Heavy RestrictionsOutdoor Music
Outdoor amplified music in Boston requires an APCC noise variance and a Special Event permit. Unpermitted outdoor events are limited to the plainly audible 50-foot standard and must stop by 11 PM.
Noise: Outdoor Music
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Suffolk County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Boston city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Suffolk County →