Meriden, CT Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)

§ 141-6.B(5) is disturbance-based rather than tied to a fixed decibel number: it turns on whether the volume annoys or disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of a person in an office, dwelling, hotel or other residence, or of any person in the vicinity, with the 10:00 pm to 7:00 am window called out as the particular concern. Daytime amplified sound is not automatically lawful, since § 141-6.A's general prohibition on any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise that annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others applies around the clock and independently of the numeric zone table in § 141-5.

Licensed public events are carved out under § 141-8.B(5): noise from recreational activities permitted by law and licensed by the City, including parades, sporting events, concerts and fireworks displays, is exempt from Chapter 141 entirely. Public-address systems used for election campaign activity are separately exempt, but only during daytime hours, per § 141-8.B(10). Anyone planning amplified sound that would otherwise violate the chapter can apply to the Chief of Police for a variance at least 20 days ahead under § 141-10, showing the activity's location, hours and noise intensity.

Violations are enforced the same way as any other Chapter 141 offense, by Police Department citation under § 141-9.A, and the fine structure in § 141-9.B applies uniformly across every prohibited-noise category in the chapter.