Quiet Hours: Boston vs New York
How do quiet hours rules compare between Boston, MA and New York, NY?
Boston and New York have similar restriction levels.
Boston, MA
Suffolk County
Boston Municipal Code 16-26 sets clear decibel limits enforced by police with sound level meters. Nighttime threshold of 50 dB is among the strictest in Massachusetts.
View full Boston rules →New York, NY
New York County
New York City enforces strict noise rules under Administrative Code Title 24, Chapter 2 (the NYC Noise Code, rewritten by Local Law 113 of 2005). Sound exceeding 7 dB(A) above ambient between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or 10 dB(A) above ambient during the day, is unreasonable noise. Amplified residential music audible inside an adjacent dwelling unit with windows closed is prohibited at any hour. Enforcement is shared by DEP and NYPD; complaints go through 311.
View full New York rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boston | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Night Limit | 50 dB (11 PM-7 AM) | - |
| Day Limit | 70 dB | - |
| Fine Range | $50-$300 | - |
| Code Section | BMC 16-26 | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boston FAQ
What are the quiet hours in Boston?
Boston Municipal Code 16-26 sets clear decibel limits enforced by police with sound level meters. Nighttime threshold of 50 dB is among the strictest in Massachusetts.
What happens if I violate the noise ordinance in Boston?
Night Limit: 50 dB (11 PM-7 AM). Day Limit: 70 dB. Fine Range: $50-$300. Code Section: BMC 16-26.
New York FAQ
Compare other topics
See how Boston and New York compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool