Aircraft noise in Middlesex County comes from Hanscom Field (Bedford), Logan International flight paths, and Laurence G. Hanscom Air Force Base. FAA preempts local noise regulation of aircraft in flight.
Middlesex County sits under major flight corridors for Boston Logan International Airport (in East Boston, Suffolk County, but with arrival/departure paths crossing Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, and beyond). Hanscom Field in Bedford is the region's main general aviation airport, and Hanscom AFB adjoins it. Federal law (49 USC 40103 and FAA Part 150) preempts local regulation of aircraft in flight, so cities and towns cannot set altitude or flight-path rules. Massport operates Hanscom under a voluntary noise abatement program with recommended quiet hours 11pm to 7am for jet departures, and published noise-preferred runways. Logan has a Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program with soundproofing for eligible homes under the 65 DNL contour, which has occasionally extended into East Boston-adjacent Middlesex communities. Noise complaints go to Massport's noise hotline at 617-561-3333 or online.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight and size limits apply. Overnight storage of heavy trucks prohibited.
Middlesex County, MA
Driveway rules are set by each Middlesex County city or town zoning bylaw. Cambridge, Somerville, Lowell, and Framingham regulate curb cuts, width, paving, a...
Middlesex County, MA
Winter parking bans are the dominant rule across Middlesex County. Most cities prohibit overnight on-street parking from November through April to allow snow...
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County limits fence heights: typically 6 feet rear/side, 3.5 to 4 feet front. MA spite fence law (MGL c.49 §21) limits malicious fences over 6 feet.
Middlesex County, MA
Most Middlesex County municipalities prohibit barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing in residential zones under local zoning bylaws. Historic distr...
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County has no unified code. Each of the 54 municipalities (Cambridge, Lowell, Newton, Somerville, Framingham, etc.) sets its own fence permit rules...
See how Middlesex County's aircraft noise rules stack up against other locations.
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