Amplified Music & Events: Cambridge vs Somerville
How do amplified music & events rules compare between Cambridge, MA and Somerville, MA?
Somerville has fewer restrictions than Cambridge.
Cambridge, MA
Middlesex County
Amplified music in Cambridge must not be audible 50 feet from the source between 10 PM and 7 AM; outdoor amplified events require an entertainment license from the License Commission.
View full Cambridge rules →Somerville, MA
Middlesex County
Somerville restricts amplified music through its noise ordinance and entertainment licensing, with plainly-audible standards at property lines and stricter controls on licensed venues near residential districts.
View full Somerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cambridge | Somerville |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet-Hour Rule | Inaudible at 50 feet | - |
| Outdoor Events | Entertainment license required | - |
| License Issuer | Cambridge License Commission | - |
| Venue Cutoff | Interior-only after 11 PM | - |
| Code Chapter | 8.16 and 5.04 | - |
| Residential standard | - | Plainly audible at property line |
| Quiet hours | - | 11 PM to 7 AM weekdays |
| Venue cutoff | - | Set by entertainment license |
| Outdoor events | - | Require special permit |
| Fines from | - | 100 to 300 dollars |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cambridge FAQ
Do I need a permit for a backyard party with a DJ in Cambridge?
Private residential parties do not need a permit, but you must comply with quiet hours and the 50-foot audibility standard.
What happens if a Cambridge bar violates noise limits?
The License Commission can suspend or revoke the entertainment license in addition to standard noise fines.
Somerville FAQ
Can I have a backyard party with speakers?
Yes during daytime and evening hours, but amplified sound should not be plainly audible beyond your property line after 11:00 PM.
How are bars regulated for live music?
Through entertainment licenses issued by the Licensing Commission, which set end times and sound conditions reviewed annually.
Compare other topics
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