Noise from Specific Sources in Somerville, MA (2026)
4 verified noise from specific sources rules for Somerville, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
Running refrigeration or air conditioning machinery loud enough to create a noise disturbance is unlawful in Somerville. Section 9-116(1) singles out air compressors and rotating or reciprocating equipment, enforced by police and Inspectional Services.
Somerville Air Conditioner Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsSomerville Code of Ordinances Sec. 9-116(1)
Air conditioners. It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain any refrigeration machinery or air conditioning, consisting of air compressors or rotating or reciprocating machinery, in such manner as to create a noise disturbance.
Car Alarm Limits
A vehicle alarm that sounds more than ten minutes in an hour is a public nuisance in Somerville, and police may tow the car to shut it off. Section 9-116(5) also makes owners liable for towing and deactivation costs.
Somerville Car Alarm Noise Rule
Significant RestrictionsSomerville Code of Ordinances Sec. 9-116(5)
Sounding or permitting the sounding of any exterior burglar or fire alarm or any motor vehicle burglar alarm unless such alarm is automatically terminated within minutes of activation and does not sound again at all within the hour... Any motor vehicle, located on either public or private property, whose alarm has been sounding in excess of ten minutes in an hour, is hereby deemed to be a publi...
Generator Noise
Running a stationary generator, compressor, or other combustion engine outdoors in Somerville without an effective muffler violates Sec. 9-116(7) the moment the exhaust noise disturbs a neighbor. The rule treats portable and standby generators the same way it treats vehicle engines, and fines flow through the city's noncriminal citation process.
Somerville Generator Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsSomerville, MA Code of Ordinances § 9-116(7)
(7) Engine exhausts. The discharge into the open air within the city of the exhaust of any steam engine, gasoline engine, stationary internal combustion engine, or other kind or type of engine, or motor vehicle, except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom, provided that fines for such noise disturbance shall be provided for in G. L....
Delivery Truck Noise
Somerville bans loud loading and unloading, the crash of dumpster lids, crates, and delivery boxes, between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. citywide. Sec. 9-116(11) targets exactly the noise a delivery truck or trash pickup makes outside a store or apartment building overnight, enforced the same as any other noise disturbance.
Somerville Delivery Truck Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsSomerville, MA Code of Ordinances § 9-116(11)
(11) Loading and unloading. Loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans, dumpsters or similar objects between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance.