Manchester, NH Noise from Specific Sources: Generator Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Testing noise cap
- 88 dBA at property line
- Testing duration limit
- 1 hr/week or 2 hrs/6 weeks
- Allowed testing hours
- 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- First-offense fine
- $100
- Enforcement
- Chief of Police (§ 94.04)
Summary
Manchester exempts emergency power generators at hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes from standard noise limits, but caps routine testing noise at 88 dBA and restricts testing to set hours and durations.
Any power generator providing emergency electrical power at any hospital, health clinic, nursing home or similar facility where the loss of electrical power creates an immediate risk to the health, safety or welfare of any person, or at any premises where such equipment is required by the Fire Department. Additionally, the noise emitted during the routine testing of emergency electrical power generators shall not exceed 88 dBA when measured at the property line of the receiving premise. Routine testing shall not exceed one hour in any one-week period, or two hours in any six-week period and shall be confined to the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or as otherwise approved.
(M) Any industrial, commercial, or public premises exceeding the standards of § 94.10, Table A at a receiving residential premises when the zoning of the receiving residential premises does not allow residential use (residential use is nonconforming). However, in such a situation, the noise emitted by the industrial, commercial, or public premises shall not exceed the standards for receiving industrial premises.
(N) Any industrial, commercial, or public premises exceeding the standards of § 94.10, Table A at a receiving residential premises when such industrial, commercial, or public premises and their emitted noise level were in existence prior to the existence of the residential premises, provided however that the existing industrial premises does not exceed 65 dBA and the commercial premises
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: current through Ord. passed 6-3-2025).
Full Breakdown
Under § 94.11(L) of the Manchester noise ordinance, emergency power generators at hospitals, health clinics, nursing homes, or premises where the Fire Department requires them are exempt from the city's standard property-line noise limits (Table A) while providing power during an outage. That exemption does not cover routine testing: testing noise is capped at 88 dBA measured at the receiving property line, limited to one hour per week or two hours per six-week period, and confined to 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. unless the city approves otherwise. Testing that exceeds these caps loses the exemption and is treated as a standard noise violation.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by the Chief of Police under § 94.04. Exceeding the exemption is prosecuted under § 94.42/94.43: $100 first offense, $250 second, $500 third, $1,000 fourth and subsequent, per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a home backup generator anytime in Manchester?
How often can I test a backup generator?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manchester
Compare Manchester to another location·View the New Hampshire noise from specific sources overview
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