Chicopee, MA Noise from Specific Sources: Bar & Nightclub Noise (2026)

Chicopee's Code has no noise section written for bars or nightclubs by name. Two subsections of § 200-3 reach a venue's sound, and § 200-4 reaches its amplified audio.

Subsection (H) covers drums, loudspeakers and similar devices. It prohibits the use of a drum, loudspeaker or any other sound-producing instrument or device for the purpose of attracting attention to any election campaign, performance, show or sale or display of merchandise by the creation of noise. The exception is a special permit issued by the Chief of Police, who makes reasonable rules and regulations for it. A speaker aimed at the street to draw a crowd to a show falls under this permit requirement.

Subsection (I) covers noise in the conduct of business. It prohibits the creation of any unnecessary noise in the operation, conduct and/or maintenance of any business, factory, plant, yard or manufacturing establishment, and the examples it lists are industrial: excavating, blasting where permitted, grinding, breaking, crushing or processing of any substance or materials. The word any business is the hook for a licensed premises.

Amplified audio has numbers. Section 200-4 applies to any person who creates an unreasonably loud noise through amplification sound devices, defined as a sound greater than 50 decibels between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and 70 decibels at other times, measured at the property line where the noise originates, or any sound discernible at a distance of 100 feet, unless authorized by a Commonwealth or City permit or license or by permission of the Chief of Police. Section 200-3(E) also protects the area around a school, church, court, hospital or nursing home from excessive noise, where conspicuous signs are displayed.