Bethel, CT Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential nighttime cap
- 45 dBA
- Industrial-to-industrial daytime cap
- 70 dBA
- Impulse noise, nighttime residential
- 80 dB peak, max
- Impulse noise, anywhere/anytime
- 100 dB peak, max
- First-offense fine
- $50 under § 108-8
- Enforcement
- Bethel Police Department
- State model
- Conn. Regs. § 22a-69-3.5
Summary
Bethel caps how much noise can cross into a neighboring zone with fixed dBA limits that fall as low as 45 dBA at night near homes and rise to 70 dBA between industrial zones during the day, under a noise ordinance modeled on state DEEP regulations.
This section is intended to conform to the regulations of the State of Connecticut applicable to the control of noise, as set forth in Connecticut State Regulations § 22a-69-3.5 as amended. It shall be unlawful for any person to emit any noise that is in excess of the standards as follows: ... No person in a Class A noise zone shall emit noise exceeding the levels stated herein and applicable to adjacent noise zones: Receptor C B A/day A/night Class A (residential) emitter to 62 dBA 55dBA 55dBA 45dBA Levels emitted in excess of the values listed above shall be considered excessive noise. ... No person shall cause or allow the emission of impulse noise in excess of 80 decibels peak sound pressure level during the nighttime to any residential noise zone. No person shall cause or allow the emission of impulse noise in excess of 100 decibels peak sound pressure level at any time in any zone.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4770801; v15 updated 2025-12-09; through 12-09-2025).
Full Breakdown
5. The Town splits its territory into a Class A (residential), Class B (commercial) and Class C (industrial) noise zone, and measures noise where it crosses into a receiving zone. Noise from a Class C, industrial, emitter is capped at 70 dBA when it reaches another Class C zone, 66 dBA reaching a Class B zone, 61 dBA reaching a Class A zone by day and 51 dBA reaching a Class A zone at night. A Class B, commercial, emitter is capped at 62 dBA reaching either a Class C or Class B zone, 55 dBA reaching a Class A zone by day, and 45 dBA at night.
A Class A, residential, emitter is held to 62 dBA reaching a Class C zone, 55 dBA reaching a Class B zone or a Class A zone by day, and just 45 dBA reaching a Class A zone at night, the strictest limit in the ordinance. Separately, Section 108-5(D) bars impulse noise, sound of short duration with an abrupt onset, above 80 decibels peak pressure at night in any residential zone, and above 100 decibels peak pressure at any time in any zone. Measurements are taken about one foot inside the receiving property line.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the Section 108-5 zone limits is fined under Section 108-8: $50 for a first offense, $75 for a repeat within 30 days, and $100 for any further repeat within 30 days of a prior violation, with each additional day the noise continues counted as a separate offense. The Bethel Police Department enforces the limits and issues written notices of violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nighttime noise limit near homes in Bethel?
Can a fireworks display or concert in Bethel exceed the noise limits?
What counts as an impulse noise violation in Bethel?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bethel
Compare Bethel to another location·View the Connecticut noise ordinances overview
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