Noise Ordinances in Somerville, MA (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Somerville, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Somerville enforces nighttime quiet hours under its noise control ordinance, restricting loud sounds audible at property lines during late-night and early-morning periods across this densely populated Boston-metro city.
Somerville Quiet Hours Rules
Heavy RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 40, § 21 (Municipal By-Law Authority — Cities and Towns May Enact Ordinances Including Noise and Quiet-Hour Regulations) (Massachusetts General Laws; applies to all cities/towns within the county)
Section 21. Towns may, for the purposes hereinafter named, make such ordinances and by-laws, not repugnant to law, as they may judge most conducive to their welfare, which shall be binding upon all inhabitants thereof and all persons within their limits. They may, except as herein provided, affix penalties for breaches thereof not exceeding three hundred dollars for each offense, which shall en...
Construction Hours
Somerville limits noisy construction work to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, with heavy equipment like pile drivers and jackhammers cut off even earlier on weekends. Section 9-116(3) bans it outright on Sundays and legal holidays.
Somerville Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsSomerville Code of Ordinances Sec. 9-116(3)
Construction. Unless otherwise authorized by the enforcing authority, based on consideration of the factors contained in section 9-114 of this chapter, the public convenience and consultation with the ward councilor, it shall be unlawful to: a. Operate or permit the operation of any tools, pile drivers, hammers or equipment used in construction, drilling, demolition, or similar work, or otherwi...
Barking Dogs
Somerville treats chronic barking as a noise nuisance under its noise control ordinance and animal control regulations, with Animal Control and police handling complaints from affected neighbors.
Somerville Barking Dog Rules
Some RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 157 (Noise / Barking Dogs)
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 person and the dog's reaction was not grossly disproportionate to any of the following circumstances: (1) the dog was protecting or defending itself, its offspring, another domestic animal or ...
Leaf Blower Rules
Somerville banned gas-powered leaf blowers in 2024, phasing them out citywide in favor of electric and battery equipment, with restricted operating hours and decibel limits on all models.
Somerville Leaf Blower Rules
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Somerville Leaf Blower Regulations
Leaf Blower Regulations In order to promote the health, safety, and comfort of its residents, the City of Somerville is implementing the following leaf blower regulations effective immediately. When are residents and businesses allowed to use leaf blowers? Leaf blowers can only be used March 15 through May 31 and October 1 through December 15 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Leaf blowers ...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Somerville bars loudspeakers and PA systems from running between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and radios, stereos, and other sound amplifiers between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. if they create a noise disturbance. Section 9-116(12)-(13) sets the cutoffs.
Somerville Amplified Sound Time Limits
Some RestrictionsSomerville Code of Ordinances Sec. 9-116(12), (13)
Loudspeakers and public address system. Unless otherwise permitted by a duly authorized agent of the city, using or operating for any purpose any loudspeaker, public address system, or similar device (1) such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance; or (2) between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. ... Radios, television sets, musical instruments, and similar devices. Operating,...
Decibel Limits
Somerville's noise ordinance sets hard decibel ceilings for any sound reaching a neighboring property line: 75 dB by day, dropping to 60 dB overnight in residential districts. The chief of police and the superintendent of inspectional services enforce Sec. 9-117, with violators facing the citywide $300 noncriminal fine under Sec. 1-11 for every day the noise continues.
Somerville Noise Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsSomerville, MA Code of Ordinances § 9-117(1)
It shall be unlawful to make, continue, or cause to be made or continued, any noise in excess of the noise levels set forth in subsection (1) unless such noise is reasonably necessary to the preservation of life, health, safety or property. (1) Measurement of noise. Any activity...which creates or produces sound...exceeding the ambient noise levels at the property line of any property, or if a ...
Vehicle Noise
Somerville's noise ordinance separately bans three vehicle-noise problems: out-of-repair vehicles that rattle or grind, horns sounded for anything but a genuine danger warning, and vehicles rebuilt or tested in a way that creates a disturbance. Sec. 9-116 makes each a distinct, fineable offense citywide, any hour of the day.
Somerville Vehicle Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsSomerville, MA Code of Ordinances § 9-116(9), (10), (16)
(9) Defect in vehicle or load. The use within the city of any wagon, cart, motor vehicle, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle, so out of repair or loaded in such manner or with material of such nature as to create loud and unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noises. ... (10) Horns and other signaling devices. The sounding of any horn or signaling device on any motor vehicle, motorc...