New Britain, CT Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in New Britain, CT, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Key Facts
- Exempt hours
- 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon-Sat; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun
- Nighttime rule
- Must meet Sec. 16-105 zone decibel limits
- Residential night limit
- 45 dBA at property line, Class A zone
- First-offense fine
- Up to $50.00 under Sec. 16-108
- Continuing fine
- $99.00 per day after correction order
- Enforcing agency
- New Britain Police Department
- Variance process
- File with board of police commissioners 20 days ahead
Summary
New Britain exempts construction equipment noise from Article V's citywide noise standards only when the work happens during daytime hours, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday. Run equipment at night and Sec. 16-106(b)(1) requires it to stay within the Sec. 16-105 decibel caps for the surrounding noise zone, not run unrestricted like daytime work.
Construction: ... The assembly, erection, substantial repair, alteration, demolition or site preparation for or of public or private rights-of-way, buildings or other structures, utilities or property. Construction equipment: Any equipment or device operated by fuel or electric power used in construction or demolition. Daytime hours: The hours between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Sunday. ... ... Sec. 16-106. - Exceptions. ... (b)The following shall be exempt from this article, subject to special conditions as specified:(1)Noise generated by any construction equipment which is operated during daytime hours, provided that the operation of construction equipment during nighttime hours shall not exceed the maximum noise levels as specified in section 16-105 of this article.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 16, Article V of the Code of Ordinances defines 'construction' as the assembly, erection, substantial repair, alteration, demolition or site preparation of buildings, structures, utilities or rights-of-way, and 'construction equipment' as any fuel- or electric-powered equipment or device used in construction or demolition. Sec. 16-102 fixes 'daytime hours' at 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday; everything else is nighttime. Sec. 16-106(b)(1) exempts construction-equipment noise from the article's noise-zone standards entirely during daytime hours, but the exemption is explicitly conditional at night: nighttime construction noise 'shall not exceed the maximum noise levels as specified in section 16-105,' the table that caps noise at the property line by emitter class and receptor zone, down to 45 dBA for a Class A residential receptor at night.
Demolition work gets its own related carve-out under Sec. 16-106(b)(3) when performed during daytime hours, and is exempt at all times only if it qualifies as emergency work. New Britain police enforce the article; Sec. 16-108 fines a violation up to $50.00, with continuing daily violations after a correction order rising to $99.00 per day. A contractor who needs to run equipment past 9:00 p.m. can seek a variance from the board of police commissioners under Sec. 16-109, filed at least 20 days ahead.
Violations & Fines
Operating construction equipment after 9:00 p.m., or before 7:00 a.m. weekdays and before 9:00 a.m. Sunday, above the Sec. 16-105 noise-zone cap violates Sec. 16-106(b)(1). Sec. 16-108 fines a first offense up to $50.00; each day the violation continues after a correction order costs $99.00. Police measure sound with a certified sound-level meter under Sec. 16-103 to establish the violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours can construction equipment run in New Britain?
Does the daytime exemption apply to demolition too?
What is the fine for running equipment too loud or too late?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Britain
How New Britain compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·Compare New Britain to another location·View the Connecticut noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.