Nashua, NH Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Events (2026)

Nashua's amplified-music framework sits inside Chapter 201 (Noise) and applies citywide with no entertainment-district overlay (unlike Washington cities such as Bellingham that publish downtown overlays). The principal substantive rules are: (1) Disturbance rule - it is unlawful to use, operate, or permit to be played any radio, receiving set, television, phonograph, stereo, record player, tape player, cassette player, compact disc player, loudspeaker, sound amplifier, or other electronic device for producing, reproducing or amplifying sound in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of inhabitants of neighboring premises. Operation clearly audible at 50 feet from the source is prima facie evidence of violation. (2) Commercial-advertising rule - it is unlawful to use such devices in a manner cast upon the public streets for the purpose of commercial advertising, or attracting the attention of the public to any building or structure. (3) Motor-vehicle audio rule at NCO 201-1 - operation of an electrically amplified sound system in or on a motor vehicle so as to produce sound clearly audible more than 50 feet from the vehicle is unlawful (this provision is publicly cited in Nashua Police enforcement campaigns alongside NH RSA 266:59 motor-vehicle equipment law). (4) Public-street vocal rule - yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on public streets between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. is unlawful. (5) Emergency exemption at § 201-2 - emergency situations under the direction of local officials are exempted. No Chapter 201 provision sets a fixed citywide 'amplified music end time' clock the way some larger cities do; the standard is the reasonableness / 50-foot audibility test plus NH RSA 644:2 disorderly conduct (statewide). Live-music venues along Main Street and the downtown Park Street / Pearl Street / High Street corridor (Riverwalk Café, Margaritas, Stella Blu, and seasonal patio music at Martha's Exchange and Peddler's Daughter) operate under the Chapter 201 reasonableness standard plus liquor-license conditions. The City of Nashua's Park and Playground Rules (Chapter 215 / Article I) and the Greeley Park Bandshell summer concert series (the city's SummerFun concert program at Greeley Park, 100 Concord Street, every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.) operate under city-issued event permits that effectively pre-authorize amplification. Private events at Greeley Park require a permit (non-Summerfun bandstand reservations carry a $375 fee per the city's facility schedule); Holman Stadium hosts paid concerts (day-game fee $300, night-game fee $400 per the city's facility schedule). RSA 644:2 disorderly conduct is the statewide backstop (loud or unreasonable noise that would disturb a person of average sensibilities - violation up to $1,000; Class B misdemeanor if continued after desist order).