Taunton, MA Noise from Specific Sources: Bar & Nightclub Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime radius
- 300 feet from source
- Nighttime ban
- 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. citywide, no distance limit
- Vibration limit
- Barred at property boundary
- Fine
- $100 to $300 by offense number
- Repeat violation
- Loses automatic license renewal
Summary
Taunton bars stores, garages, theaters and other places of amusement or trade from disturbing neighbors with loud music, boisterous songs or other noise within 300 feet, and flatly bans that same noise citywide between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Vibration audible at the property line is separately barred.
It shall be unlawful for any person in charge of any store, garage, filling station, apartment house, theater, or other premises where persons gather or enter for purposes of amusement or trade within the City, either by his/her own actions or by permitting or allowing any persons who may resort to said premises by day or night, to disturb the neighbors or public peace by: A. Loud cries, boisterous songs or the operation of musical machines, instruments or other musical devices, the use of which produces loud music or noises, or making other noises interrupting the peace or quiet of the neighborhood within a radius of 300 feet. ... It shall be unlawful for any person in charge of any store, garage, filling station, apartment house, theater or other premises ... to disturb the neighbors or public peace by loud cries, boisterous songs or the operation of musical machines, instruments or other musical devices, the use of which produces loud music or noises, or making other noises interrupting the peace or quiet of the neighborhood at any and all places within the City after the hour of 10:00 p.m. and before the hour of 7:00 a.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4508986; v12 updated 2025-09-22; through 09-22-2025).
Full Breakdown
Section 315-3 of the Taunton Noise Ordinance targets noise from stores, garages, filling stations, apartment houses, theaters and other premises where people gather for amusement or trade. It is unlawful for the person in charge of such a premises, whether by their own conduct or by permitting patrons to do it, to disturb neighbors or the public peace by loud cries, boisterous songs, or the operation of musical machines, instruments or other devices that produce loud music or noise within a 300-foot radius. The same section separately bars repairing, rebuilding, modifying or testing a motor vehicle, motorcycle or motorboat on the premises in a manner plainly audible 50 feet from the lot line, and bars operating any device that creates vibration perceptible at the property boundary, or 50 feet from the source on public property.
, without the 300-foot distance limitation that applies during the day. Chapter 315 also sets numeric decibel ceilings by district and time of day in Section 315-7, ranging from 75 db for short daytime sounds down to 40 db for sustained nighttime noise in nonresidential districts.
Violations & Fines
A Section 315-3 or 315-4 violation carries the same escalating Chapter 315 fines under Section 315-9: up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $300 for a third or subsequent offense, each incident a separate offense, with loss of automatic license renewal after a third violation. That penalty applies on top of any conditions a liquor or entertainment license already imposes on the establishment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close does a bar's music have to be to disturb someone to violate Taunton's noise rule?
Can Taunton fine a bar for noise more than once?
Does Taunton limit vibration from nightclub sound systems?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Taunton
Compare Taunton to another location·View the Massachusetts noise from specific sources overview
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