Noise Ordinances in Nashua, NH (2026)
9 verified noise ordinances for Nashua, New Hampshire, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Nashua codifies noise in Chapter 201 (Noise) of Part II of the Revised Ordinances, adopted by the Board of Aldermen on August 9, 2005 by Ordinance O-05-96. Chapter 201 does not publish a single citywide clock-time 'quiet hours' window for all noise. It establishes specific time-based prohibitions: yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on public streets is unlawful between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (or at any time so as to annoy or disturb neighboring premises). Operating an electronic sound-reproduction device so as to disturb peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring inhabitants is unlawful at all hours - operation clearly audible at 50 feet is prima facie evidence. New Hampshire RSA 644:2 (disorderly conduct) is the statewide backstop for loud or unreasonable noise.
Nashua Quiet Hours and Public Noise
Some RestrictionsConstruction Hours
Nashua codifies a strict construction quiet window in Chapter 128 (Construction and Demolition Work) of Part II. There shall be no construction or demolition in any residential zone (as defined in Chapter 190, Land Use) or within 600 feet of any dwelling unit between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Sunday through Friday, and between 7:00 p.m. Saturday and 8:00 a.m. Sunday and holidays. Emergency work directed by the Director of Code Enforcement and work authorized by the Director of Public Works are exempt. Primary enforcement is by Nashua Police; Code Enforcement and the Zoning Administrator also have authority.
Nashua Construction and Demolition Hours
Some RestrictionsBarking Dogs
Nashua codifies animal-noise enforcement in Chapter 93 (Animals). Noise from an animal that is sustained for periods of more than 30 minutes, or that occurs between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., which would annoy or disturb a person of normal sensibilities, is declared a nuisance. The owner who fails to abate the nuisance after being requested to do so is guilty of a violation. The Nashua Police Department enforces, with penalties under § 93-14. Animal noise also remains citable under Chapter 201 and NH RSA 644:2 disorderly conduct.
Nashua Barking Dogs and Animal Noise
Some RestrictionsLeaf Blower Rules
Nashua does not publish a leaf-blower-specific ordinance and has not banned gas-powered blowers. Leaf-blower use is governed by Chapter 201 (Noise) - the disturbance / 50-foot audibility standard for electronic sound-reproduction devices does not directly cover internal-combustion equipment, so enforcement against leaf-blower noise relies on the Chapter 201 reasonableness standard plus, where applicable, Chapter 128 construction-equipment-noise restrictions or NH RSA 644:2 disorderly conduct. New Hampshire has not enacted statewide leaf-blower preemption, but no Nashua-specific bans, hour restrictions, or registration program exist.
Nashua Leaf Blower Rules
Few RestrictionsAmplified Music & Events
Chapter 201 (Noise) makes it unlawful to operate any radio, receiving set, television, phonograph, stereo, record player, tape player, cassette player, compact disc player, loudspeaker, sound amplifier, or other electronic device for producing, reproducing or amplifying sound in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of inhabitants of neighboring premises. Operation clearly audible at 50 feet from the source is prima facie evidence of violation. The chapter separately bars amplified sound cast upon the public streets for commercial advertising or to attract attention to a building. Motor-vehicle amplification > 50 feet is also barred at § 201-1.
Nashua Amplified Music and Sound Reproduction
Some RestrictionsAircraft Noise
Aircraft-in-flight noise is preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (49 U.S.C. 47521 et seq.). Boire Field / Nashua Municipal Airport (FAA identifier ASH / ICAO KASH), at 93 Perimeter Road in northwest Nashua, is operated by the Nashua Airport Authority. The FAA determined that the airport's FAR Part 150 Noise Exposure Maps are in compliance with applicable requirements effective April 29, 2009. Nashua Chapter 201 contains no aircraft-noise provisions. The airport publishes voluntary noise-abatement procedures favoring Runway 32 as the preferential runway, with Runway 14 departures climbing on runway heading to 1,000 feet MSL before turning over the F.E. Everett Turnpike.
Nashua Aircraft Noise (Boire Field / Nashua Municipal Airport KASH)
Few RestrictionsIndustrial Noise
Industrial noise in Nashua is regulated through Chapter 201 (Noise) - the disturbance / 50-foot audibility standard - layered with Chapter 190 (Land Use Code) industrial-performance standards and the Chapter 128 residential-zone construction-equipment quiet window (8 p.m. - 7 a.m. weekdays; no Sunday/holiday). NH RSA 644:2 disorderly conduct is the statewide backstop. New Hampshire has no statewide environmental noise dB code (unlike WAC 173-60). Active industrial concentrations include the Sundial Avenue and Crown Street industrial parks, the Daniel Webster Highway south light-industrial corridor, the Amherst Street rail-served sites, and the former mill complexes along the Nashua River (many now in adaptive-reuse mixed-use redevelopment).
Nashua Industrial Noise
Some RestrictionsDecibel Limits
Nashua Chapter 201 (Noise) does not codify a general numeric dBA cap. The city's principal quantitative triggers are: (1) the 50-foot audibility rule for electronic sound-reproduction devices (clearly audible at 50 feet = prima facie violation) at all hours; (2) the 50-foot audibility rule for motor-vehicle amplification under NCO 201-1; and (3) the Chapter 190 (Land Use Code) HVAC / mechanical-equipment standard of 50 dBA daytime (7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.) / 45 dBA nighttime (8:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.) at residential zoning district boundaries. New Hampshire has no statewide environmental noise dB code parallel to WAC 173-60. NH RSA 644:2 disorderly conduct is the statewide reasonableness backstop.
Nashua Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Music
Outdoor music in Nashua is governed by Chapter 201 (Noise) - the disturbance / 50-foot audibility standard for electronic sound-reproduction devices applies citywide at all hours, with the public-street vocal bar 11:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. Permitted special events (the City of Nashua SummerFun concert series at Greeley Park Bandshell every Tuesday at 7 p.m., the Greater Nashua Pride Festival, downtown ArtWalk and Winter Holiday Stroll programs organized by Great American Downtown, and concerts at Holman Stadium) operate under city event permits. Park-system amplification is also governed by Chapter 215 (Parks and Recreation Areas).
Nashua Outdoor Music and Events
Some RestrictionsLooking for Hillsborough County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Nashua city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Hillsborough County →