Noise Ordinances in New Bedford, MA (2026)
4 verified noise ordinances for New Bedford, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
New Bedford prohibits blowing car horns from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. except in emergencies, and bans commercial-establishment noise that disturbs sleep in residential neighborhoods between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. under Sec. 17-15.
New Bedford Nighttime Noise Curfew
Some RestrictionsNew Bedford Code of Ordinances § 17-15
Sec. 17-15. - Noise. (a)Unnecessary blowing of automobile horns. The blowing of automobile horns between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. except in cases of emergency is hereby prohibited.(b)Noises at commercial establishments. All noises at commercial establishments located in principally residential neighborhoods that menace the health, interrupt or disturb sleep of residents between the...
Barking Dogs
New Bedford declares a dog that habitually howls, yelps or barks enough to disturb a considerable number of neighbors a public nuisance, and after three complaints in a calendar year the dog officer or police must cite the owner under the city's ticketing bylaw.
New Bedford Barking Dog Nuisance Rules
Some RestrictionsNew Bedford Code of Ordinances § 4-28
The keeping or harboring of any dog or other animal, whether licensed or not, which by habitual howling, yelping, barking or other noise disturbs or annoys any considerable number of persons or neighborhood is unlawful, and is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and each day shall constitute a separate offense. The provisions of M.G.L.A. c. 140 shall be applicable. ... It shall be unlawful ...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
New Bedford bars playing portable radios, tape players, or other electronically amplified sound devices in public spaces above 70 decibels at 15 feet. Sec. 17-17 covers buses, bus stops, beaches, parking lots, streets, malls, and stores.
New Bedford Amplified Sound Device Rule
Some RestrictionsNew Bedford Code of Ordinances § 17-17(a),(b)
Sec. 17-17. - Radios, tape players and other sound amplification devices; regulations. (a)The playing of portable radios, tape players or other electronically amplified sound devices, shall be prohibited from public buses, bus stops, public beaches, public parking lots, public streets, malls, stores and any public area when the sound of such devices exceeds the following intensity: Sound level ...
Vehicle Noise
New Bedford bars motor vehicle radios or sound systems from creating unnecessary noise for anyone other than the driver and passengers of that vehicle. Sec. 17-17(c) sets the rule, with fines up to $300 for repeat offenders.
New Bedford Vehicle Sound System Rule
Light RestrictionsNew Bedford Code of Ordinances § 17-17(c),(d)
(c)No motor vehicle radio or sound reproduction systems operated within a motor vehicle shall be used in such a manner as to create unnecessary noise for any person other than the driver and passengers in said vehicle.(d)Penalty. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be punished as follows: Upon a conviction for the first offense, by a fine of up to one hundred dol...
Looking for Bristol County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement New Bedford city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Bristol County →