Amplified music rules in Cambridge, MA — also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances — set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Amplified music in Cambridge must not be audible 50 feet from the source between 10 PM and 7 AM; outdoor amplified events require an entertainment license from the License Commission.
Amplified music in Cambridge is regulated under Chapter 8.16 (Noise Control) and Chapter 5.04 (Licensing). During nighttime quiet hours (10 PM to 7 AM weekdays, 10 PM to 9 AM weekends), no amplified music may be audible 50 feet from the source, whether from a dwelling, vehicle, or outdoor event. Any outdoor amplified performance open to the public requires an entertainment license from the Cambridge License Commission, which sets volume caps and end times as conditions. Restaurants and bars with entertainment licenses in Central, Harvard, and Inman Squares must keep amplified sound inside the building after 11 PM. Private parties are subject to the general noise ordinance. Violations can include fines and, for licensed venues, suspension of the entertainment license.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle amplified music & events.
See how Cambridge's amplified music & events rules stack up against other locations.
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