Decibel Limits: Somerville vs Waltham
How do decibel limits rules compare between Somerville, MA and Waltham, MA?
Somerville and Waltham have similar restriction levels.
Somerville, MA
Middlesex County
Somerville uses both plainly-audible standards and numeric decibel caps for specific sources, typically 65 to 75 dBA during day and 55 to 65 dBA at night measured at residential property lines.
View full Somerville rules →Waltham, MA
Middlesex County
Waltham enforces decibel limits based on state DEP policy, with 10 dBA above ambient as the threshold at property lines in all zones.
View full Waltham rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Somerville | Waltham |
|---|---|---|
| Residential day limit | Approximately 65 dBA | - |
| Residential night limit | Approximately 55 dBA | - |
| Commercial day limit | 70 to 75 dBA | - |
| Leaf blower cap | 65 dBA at 50 feet | - |
| Measurement by | ISD and Somerville Police | - |
| Threshold | - | 10 dBA above ambient |
| Residential Ambient | - | 40-50 dBA night |
| Measurement Point | - | Property line |
| Pure Tone Rule | - | Cannot exceed ambient |
| Authority | - | MassDEP Policy 90-001 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Somerville FAQ
Do the limits apply to HVAC units?
Yes. Fixed mechanical equipment is among the most-measured sources and often requires acoustic enclosures to meet nighttime limits.
Is the plainly-audible test subjective?
Somewhat, but it is legally valid and often used as the first enforcement step before a formal dBA measurement.
Waltham FAQ
Does Waltham have a fixed dBA cap like 65?
No, it uses the relative 10 dBA above ambient standard.
Can I use my own dB meter?
Yes, but enforcement requires calibrated official measurement.
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