Plymouth County, MA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in Plymouth County, MA, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Key Facts
- Weekday work
- Daytime, set by town
- Sunday work
- Barred in coastal towns
- Governing law
- MGL c.40 §21(22)
- Enforcement
- Building commissioner, police
Summary
Construction hours are fixed by each town's bylaw under MGL c.40 §21(22), the statute authorizing noise bylaws. Plymouth, Marshfield, and Scituate limit powered work to daytime; Hingham and Duxbury bar Sunday construction. No county-wide schedule exists.
For controlling and abating noise from whatever source, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the right to restrict or limit the use of automobile horns and the operation of motor vehicles in such a manner as to cause excessive noise.
Full Breakdown
No Plymouth County construction-hour rule exists, because Massachusetts counties cannot legislate. Each town sets permitted work times in its noise or general bylaw, authorized by MGL c.40 §21(22). Plymouth, Marshfield, and Scituate limit powered construction to roughly 7 a.m. through evening on weekdays, with shorter Saturday windows and no Sunday work. Brockton's ordinance runs similar hours. Emergency utility repairs are exempt. The town building commissioner and police enforce the schedule; Plymouth County plays no role.
Violations & Fines
Working outside permitted hours draws a bylaw fine up to $300 per offense under MGL c.40 §21, plus a possible stop-work order from the town building department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do construction on Sunday in Plymouth County?
What time can construction start?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Plymouth County
How Plymouth County compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·Compare Plymouth County to another location·View the Massachusetts noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.