Skowhegan, ME Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)

The Special Amusement Ordinance of the Town of Skowhegan, Maine, is the rule that governs live and amplified entertainment, and it reaches one kind of business. Section 2 states its purpose: to control the dancing, or entertainment in facilities licensed by the State of Maine to sell liquor, with the exception of a radio or other mechanical musical device. A liquor-licensed business that books music or dancing falls inside it.

Section 9(b) sets the closing hour. With the exception of New Year's eve festivities, all music, dancing and entertainment subject to regulation under the ordinance must end no later than 01.00 A.M. On January 1, music, entertainment and dancing must end no later than 02.00 A.M.

Section 10(b) sets the volume standard. The Licensee shall not allow on any licensed premise the making, creation, or maintenance of excessive, unusually loud noise which disturbs or endangers the peace, health or safety of an individual or individuals. The text says this is judged on a case by case basis at the discretion of the Police Officer that responds to any complaint. This ordinance prints no decibel reading, meter test or distance measurement, so the responding officer's judgment is the measure.

Outdoor events carry an added step. Under Section 9(c), the Licensee of the premises must contact the Chief of Police to determine what arrangements, if any, are needed for hiring a law enforcement officer or officers to maintain order and insure the safety of the general public, and the Licensee bears the cost of any officers hired.

Section 6 assigns enforcement to the Skowhegan Police Department. Section 12 requires the licensee or the person in charge to admit any law enforcement officer, official or employee of the Town authorized to inspect at any reasonable time that admission is requested. Section 1(6) of the Town's License and Business Regulations lists Special Amusement as a license issued by the municipal officers with a license fee of $30.00. The ordinance was adopted at Town Meeting on March 8, 1999 and last amended at Town Meeting on June 10, 2019.