Decibel Limits: Cambridge vs Lowell
How do decibel limits rules compare between Cambridge, MA and Lowell, MA?
Lowell has fewer restrictions than Cambridge.
Cambridge, MA
Middlesex County
Cambridge enforces numerical decibel limits: 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night at residential receptors, with a 5 dBA penalty for tonal or impulsive sounds.
View full Cambridge rules →Lowell, MA
Middlesex County
Lowell applies the Massachusetts DEP 10-dB-above-ambient standard for objective measurement and uses a plainly-audible test for subjective enforcement.
View full Lowell rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cambridge | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Day Limit | 60 dBA (7 AM to 10 PM) | - |
| Night Limit | 50 dBA (10 PM to 7 AM) | - |
| Tonal Penalty | Plus 5 dBA | - |
| Measurement | Type 2 meter at property line | - |
| Low-Frequency | Separate assessment available | - |
| Subjective test | - | Plainly audible at 50 feet |
| Objective test | - | 10 dB(A) above L90 ambient |
| State authority | - | MassDEP Policy 90-001 |
| Meter type | - | ANSI Type 2 sound meter |
| Typical ambient | - | 45-55 dB(A) residential |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cambridge FAQ
What is a dBA versus dB?
dBA is A-weighted decibels, which adjusts for human hearing sensitivity. Cambridge uses dBA for most limits, with special handling for low-frequency sound.
How loud is 50 dBA?
About the level of a quiet refrigerator or light rainfall, roughly 15 feet from a normal conversation.
Lowell FAQ
Is there a specific nighttime dB limit?
No fixed number; the plainly-audible-at-property-line test effectively caps most residential noise below 50 dB(A) at night.
Can I request a sound measurement?
Yes. Lowell Code Enforcement or MassDEP can be requested to conduct measurements for persistent complaints.
Compare other topics
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