Noise Ordinances in Newton, MA (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Newton, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., Newton bars any unreasonable or excessive noise, including loud electronics, live bands, or loud outcries, defined as 5 dB(A) above background measured at the nearest lot line or dwelling. A performance or venue holding a valid city license or permit is exempt from the curfew.
Newton Nighttime Noise Curfew Rules
Some RestrictionsNewton, MA Code of Ordinances § 20-13(f)(7)
(7) Between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. no person or persons shall disturb the peace by causing or allowing to be made any unreasonable or excessive noise, including but not limited to such noise resulting from the operation of any electronic device, or from the playing of any band or orchestra, or from the making of excessive outcries, exclamations, or loud singing or any other exces...
Construction Hours
Construction and demolition noise in Newton is barred outside 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Sunday and legal-holiday work is prohibited at any hour unless the Mayor or a designee has issued a special permit, and cumulative site noise is capped at 90 dB(A) even during allowed hours.
Newton Construction and Demolition Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsNewton, MA Code of Ordinances § 20-13(f)(2)
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (e) and subject to the maximum noise levels listed in subsection (g), the generation of any noise from construction and demolition activity is prohibited except during the following time periods: (A) Between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on weekdays; or (B) Between: 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays; (C) Generation of any noise from construction and...
Barking Dogs
Newton treats persistent barking as a public nuisance under the noise ordinance and animal control regulations, with Animal Control able to issue warnings and citations to owners.
Newton Barking Dog Rules
Some RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 157(a) (Nuisance or Dangerous Dogs; Complaint Procedure)
Section 157. (a) 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; or (iii) if the dog was reacting to another animal or to a ...
Leaf Blower Rules
Newton bans nearly all leaf blowers from Memorial Day through Labor Day, allowing only one 65 dB(A) electric or battery unit per lot. Outside that window, use is limited to 7 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays under Sec. 20-13(h), with restricted Sunday hours and an annual city permit required for commercial operators.
Newton Leaf Blower Hours and Summer Ban
Significant RestrictionsNewton, MA Code of Ordinances § 20-13(h)
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 20-13 (f) and (g), no property owner or property manager or other person in control of a property shall authorize or permit the operation of leaf blowers on property under their control; no contractor or commercial landscaper, including a City contractor or employee, shall use or operate or authorize or permit any agent or employee to use or operate a ...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Amplified music audible beyond property lines is regulated under Newton Chapter 20, requiring permits for outdoor events and prohibited during nighttime quiet hours.
Newton Amplified Music Rules
Some RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 272, § 53 (Disturbers of the Peace; Noisy and Disorderly Houses - Penalty)
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...
Decibel Limits
Newton's Sec. 20-13(g) sets hard decibel ceilings by noise source rather than one citywide number: vehicles are capped at 75 to 86 dB(A), construction equipment at 75 to 90 dB(A), and lawn equipment at 65 dB(A), all measured 50 feet from the source or property line. Exceeding these caps is a separate violation from the general noise-pollution and curfew rules in the same section.
Newton Maximum Noise Level Limits by Source
Some RestrictionsNewton, MA Code of Ordinances § 20-13(g)
(g) Maximum Noise Levels. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (e)(1) and (e)(2), the following are the maximum noise levels that are permitted for the specified purposes: Maximum noise level dB(A) permitted: (1) Vehicles Vehicle Class............................Stationary or Moving All vehicles over 10,000 lbs. GVW or GCWR ...... 86 All Motorcycles .......................................
Vehicle Noise
Newton limits how loud vehicles can be and how long they can idle near homes. No vehicle can idle within 300 feet of a dwelling, hotel or residence for more than five minutes, and vehicles measured 50 feet away must stay under 86 dB(A) for heavy trucks, 82 dB(A) for motorcycles and 75 dB(A) for cars and light trucks.
Newton Vehicle Idling and Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsNewton, MA Code of Ordinances § 20-13(f)(4), (g)(1)
(4) No automobile, motorcycle, truck or vehicle-mounted refrigeration equipment or other motorized vehicle shall be left running when not in traffic, within three hundred (300) feet of any dwelling, hotel or residence, for a period of greater than five (5) minutes. ... (g)(1) Vehicles: All vehicles over 10,000 lbs. GVW or GCWR ...... 86. All Motorcycles ............................................