Quiet Hours: Fitchburg vs Lunenburg
How do quiet hours rules compare between Fitchburg, MA and Lunenburg, MA?
Fitchburg and Lunenburg have similar restriction levels.
Fitchburg, MA
Worcester County
Fitchburg Code Ch. 132, Article VI (Noise Control) sets nighttime quiet hours from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. with a 50 dBA cap; daytime limit is 70 dBA. Construction is restricted from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (50 dBA at residential lot lines). State 310 CMR 7.10 also applies.
View full Fitchburg rules →Lunenburg, MA
Worcester County
Lunenburg does not have a single dedicated municipal noise ordinance with fixed decibel limits. The Town's general bylaws and Chapter 250 (Zoning) treat unreasonable noise as a public nuisance enforceable by the Police Department and Board of Health. Massachusetts case law and the Department of Environmental Protection use a 10 dBA increase over ambient as the standard for unreasonable noise.
View full Lunenburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fitchburg | Lunenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet Hours | 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. | - |
| Night Limit | 50 dBA | - |
| Day Limit | 70 dBA | - |
| Construction Cutoff | 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. | - |
| First-Offense Fine | $50 | - |
| Code Reference | - | General bylaws + Ch. 250 Zoning |
| State Standard | - | DEP: 10 dBA above ambient |
| Common Quiet Hours | - | 10 PM - 7 AM (de facto) |
| Enforcement | - | Police / Board of Health |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fitchburg FAQ
What are Fitchburg's quiet hours?
11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Noise above 50 dBA during those hours violates Ch. 132, Article VI.
When can contractors run equipment?
Construction noise above 50 dBA at a residential lot line is barred from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Who do I call?
Fitchburg Police non-emergency line at 978-345-4355.
Lunenburg FAQ
What are quiet hours in Lunenburg, MA?
Lunenburg does not codify specific quiet hours. Police and Board of Health treat unreasonable noise as a nuisance using the MassDEP 10 dBA-above-ambient standard; in practice, complaints between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. are most likely to be enforced.
Who do I call about loud neighbors in Lunenburg?
Call the Lunenburg Police non-emergency line for immediate disturbances. For ongoing, chronic noise (HVAC, business activity), contact the Lunenburg Board of Health, which can issue a cease-and-desist order.
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