Noise Ordinances in Pawtucket, RI (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Pawtucket, Rhode Island, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Pawtucket bans stereos, radios, musical instruments and other noisemaking devices in residential and commercial-local zones between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. if they disturb neighbors' peace, quiet and comfort, under City Code § 286-6. A violation is presumed if the device is audible 50 feet away or exceeds the ambient base noise level by five decibels; fines run up to $100 per offense.
Pawtucket Nighttime Noise Curfew Hours
Some RestrictionsPawtucket City Code § 286-6
It shall be unlawful for any person within any residential zone or commercial local zone of the City to use or operate any stereo, radio, musical instrument or other noisemaking device for the producing or reproducing of sound between the hours of 11:00 p.m. of one day and 7:00 a.m. of the following day in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring residents. ... An...
Construction Hours
Pawtucket bans outside construction and repair work, including pile drivers, power shovels, pneumatic hammers and power hoists, between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. under City Code § 286-12. A contractor who needs to work through the night must first obtain a special permit from the Director of Public Works, and the ban does not apply to emergency work.
Pawtucket Construction Noise Hours Rule
Some RestrictionsPawtucket City Code § 286-12
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate equipment or perform any outside construction or repair work on buildings, structures or projects or to operate any pile driver, power shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick, power hoist or any other construction-type device (between the hours of 10:00 p.m. of one day and 7:00 a.m. of the next day) in such a manner that a reasonable person of normal sen...
Barking Dogs
Pawtucket declares a dog a public nuisance if its habitual barking, howling or yelping disturbs a considerable number of persons, defined as just two complaining neighbors or residents, under City Code § 116-25A. A written affidavit from a neighbor triggers an Animal Control Officer abatement notice to the dog's owner.
Pawtucket Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsPawtucket City Code § 116-25A
The keeping or harboring of any dog, whether licensed, leashed or not, which by habitual barking, howling, yelping or other noise disturbing or annoying any considerable number of persons or neighborhood, in the judgment of the Animal Control Officer or any police officer of this City, is unlawful, and is hereby declared to be a public nuisance.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Pawtucket requires anyone using a loudspeaker or sound-amplifying equipment on a street, sidewalk, park or other public property to file a registration statement with the Police Division under City Code § 286-15 before using it. Commercial operation is limited to 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and capped at 15 decibels above the ambient base noise level, with a $10-per-day fee for commercial use.
Pawtucket Amplified Sound Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsPawtucket City Code § 286-15
It shall be unlawful for any person, other than personnel of law enforcement or governmental agencies, to install, use or operate within the City a loudspeaker or sound-amplifying equipment in a fixed or movable position or mounted upon any sound truck for the purposes of giving instructions, directions, talks, addresses, lectures, or transmitting music to any persons or assemblages of persons ...
Decibel Limits
Pawtucket fixes numeric ambient base noise levels by zone and time under City Code § 286-4, ranging from 50 dBA overnight in residential zones to 75 dBA anytime in manufacturing-office zones. Section 286-11 then bars machinery, pumps, fans and air conditioners from pushing the property-line noise level more than five decibels above that base.
Pawtucket Zone-Based Decibel Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsPawtucket City Code §§ 286-4, 286-11
Where the ambient noise level is less than designated in this section the respective noise level in this section shall be the ambient base level for the purpose of this chapter: ... RL, RS, RT and PC 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 50; RL, RS, RT and PC 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 55; RL, RS, RT and PC 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 60; RM, RE, PO and CL 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 55; RM, RE, PO and CL 7:00 a.m. to 1...
Vehicle Noise
Pawtucket makes it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle in a way that causes a reasonable, normally sensitive resident discomfort or annoyance under City Code § 286-14, naming screeching tires, racing engines and loud mufflers as examples. A separate section, § 286-6, bars blasting a car stereo or radio loud enough to disturb neighbors between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Pawtucket Vehicle Muffler and Engine Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsPawtucket City Code § 286-14
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any motor-driven vehicle within the City in such a manner that a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness residing in the area is caused discomfort or annoyance. This section shall include screeching of tires, racing of motors and loud mufflers, but shall not be limited to the aforesaid.