Noise Ordinances in Bristol, CT (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Bristol, Connecticut, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
In the City of Bristol, Connecticut, Sec. 15-17 sets day-time hours at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m. Sundays) and night-time hours as the remainder, and Sec. 15-21 bans emitting noise beyond your property line above the zone-based decibel limits, which drop sharply during night-time hours for anyone emitting toward a residential receptor.
Bristol Nighttime Noise Quiet Hours Rule
Some RestrictionsBristol Code of Ordinances § 15-17, § 15-21(a)
Day-time hours shall mean the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Sunday. ... Night-time hours shall mean the hours between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Sunday evening through Saturday morning, and between 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Saturday evening through Sunday morning. ... (a)Noise levels. It shall be unlawful for any ...
Construction Hours
In the City of Bristol, Connecticut, Sec. 15-19(b) exempts construction-equipment noise from the city's decibel standards only when the equipment runs during day-time hours, defined by Sec. 15-17 as 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday; outside those hours the general noise limits of Sec. 15-21 apply in full.
Bristol Construction Noise Daytime-Only Exemption
Some RestrictionsBristol Code of Ordinances § 15-17, § 15-19(b)
Day-time hours shall mean the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Sunday. ... The following shall be exempt from this article subject to the special conditions noted: ... (b)Noise generated by any construction equipment operated during daytime hours.
Leaf Blower Rules
In the City of Bristol, Connecticut, Sec. 15-17 defines "property maintenance equipment" to include leaf blowers along with lawnmowers, riding tractors, wood chippers and power saws, and Sec. 15-19(a) exempts that equipment's noise from the city's decibel standards only during day-time hours; run one after 10:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. (9:00 a.m. Sundays) and it loses the exemption.
Bristol Leaf Blower Daytime Noise Exemption
Some RestrictionsBristol Code of Ordinances § 15-17, § 15-19(a)
Property maintenance equipment shall mean all engine or motor-powered tools and equipment used occasionally in the repair and upkeep of exterior property and including, but not limited to, lawnmowers, riding tractors, wood chippers, power saws, leaf blowers. ... The following shall be exempt from this article subject to the special conditions noted: (a)Noise created by the operation of property...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
In the City of Bristol, Connecticut, Sec. 15-21(d)(2) bars sound amplifying devices on or within a motor vehicle from emitting noise above the zone-based decibel limits set in Sec. 15-21(b), while Sec. 15-21(d)(1) separately ties a vehicle's own operating noise to the Connecticut DMV's maximum permissible vehicle noise regulation.
Bristol Vehicle Sound Amplification Noise Limit
Some RestrictionsBristol Code of Ordinances § 15-21(d)
(d)Motor vehicle noise.1.All motor vehicles operated within the limits of the City of Bristol shall be subject to the noise standards and decibel levels as set forth in the regulations of the State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, Section 14-80a-1a(a-1) entitled "Maximum Permissible Noise Levels For Vehicles."2.No sound amplifying devices on or within motor vehicles shall emit noise...
Decibel Limits
Bristol's noise ordinance caps sound at the receiving property based on the zoning of both the source and the receptor, with tighter limits at night. An industrial source reaching a residential receptor is limited to 61 dBA by day and 51 dBA at night; a business or residential source reaching a residential receptor tops out at 55 dBA by day and 45 dBA at night. The Bristol Police Department measures compliance about one foot inside the receptor's property line.
Bristol CT Noise Decibel Limits By Zone
Some RestrictionsBristol Code of Ordinances § 15-21(b)
(b)Noise level standards.1.No person shall emit noise exceeding the levels stated herein. Zone in which the RECEPTOR is located Zone in which EMITTER is located Industrial Business Residential Daytime Hours Residential Nighttime Hours Industrial 70 dBA 66 dBA 61 dBA 51 dBA Business 62 dBA 62 dBA 55 dBA 45 dBA Residential 62 dBA 55 dBA 55 dBA 45 dBA
Vehicle Noise
Bristol requires every motor vehicle operated in the city to meet the Connecticut DMV's maximum permissible vehicle noise regulation for muffler and engine noise, and separately caps any sound-amplifying device in or on a vehicle to the zone-based decibel table in section 15-21(b). Both rules sit in the noise chapter at section 15-21(d), and carry the chapter's standard escalating fine schedule.
Bristol CT Motor Vehicle Noise Standards
Some RestrictionsBristol Code of Ordinances § 15-21(d)(1)
(d)Motor vehicle noise.1.All motor vehicles operated within the limits of the City of Bristol shall be subject to the noise standards and decibel levels as set forth in the regulations of the State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, Section 14-80a-1a(a-1) entitled "Maximum Permissible Noise Levels For Vehicles."