Noise Ordinances in Cambridge, MA (2026)
9 verified noise ordinances for Cambridge, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Cambridge enforces nighttime quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM weekdays and 10 PM to 9 AM weekends under the Cambridge Noise Control Ordinance, Chapter 8.16 of the Municipal Code.
Cambridge Quiet Hours
Heavy RestrictionsConstruction Hours
Cambridge limits construction noise to weekdays 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturdays 9 AM to 6 PM, with no Sunday or holiday work allowed without a special permit.
Cambridge Construction Hours
Heavy RestrictionsBarking Dogs
Cambridge treats persistent barking as a noise violation under Chapter 8.16 and an animal nuisance under Chapter 6.04; owners of chronically barking dogs face civil fines.
Cambridge Barking Dog Rules
Some RestrictionsLeaf Blower Rules
Cambridge banned gas-powered leaf blowers in 2024, requiring all landscapers and residents to switch to electric models, with time and decibel restrictions remaining in effect.
Cambridge Leaf Blower Rules
Heavy RestrictionsAmplified Music & Events
Amplified music in Cambridge must not be audible 50 feet from the source between 10 PM and 7 AM; outdoor amplified events require an entertainment license from the License Commission.
Cambridge Amplified Music Rules
Heavy RestrictionsAircraft Noise
Aircraft noise from Logan International Airport is regulated by the FAA and Massport, not Cambridge; residents in Logan noise contours can participate in sound insulation programs.
Cambridge Aircraft Noise
Few RestrictionsIndustrial Noise
Cambridge enforces strict industrial and commercial noise limits: 60 dB days and 50 dB nights at residential property lines, aligned with MassDEP Policy 90-001.
Cambridge Industrial Noise Limits
Heavy RestrictionsDecibel Limits
Cambridge enforces numerical decibel limits: 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night at residential receptors, with a 5 dBA penalty for tonal or impulsive sounds.
Cambridge Decibel Limits
Heavy RestrictionsOutdoor Music
Outdoor music events in Cambridge require a one-day entertainment license from the License Commission, with end times typically capped at 10 PM on weeknights and 11 PM on weekends.
Cambridge Outdoor Music Events
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Middlesex County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cambridge city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Middlesex County →