Boston, MA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Section 16-26.1(A) bars "any unreasonable or excessive noise in the city, by whatever means or from whatever means or from whatever source," and 16-26.1(B) supplies the numeric test: noise measured in excess of 50 dBa between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or in excess of 70 dBa at all other hours, is unreasonable. Where no meter reading is taken, the ordinance falls back to a plain-audibility test, 300 feet for general noise, or 100 feet for a "loud amplification device or similar equipment" such as a radio, television, phonograph, stereo, tape player or loudspeaker. Readings must come from a general-purpose sound level meter meeting ANSI S1.4-1971 specifications, calibrated and run on the "A" weighting network.

Enforcement runs through Subsection 16-26.10: any Police Officer, a special officer designated by the Commissioner, or a designee of the Air Pollution Control Commission, the Board of Health and Hospitals, or the Commissioner of Inspectional Services can act on Subsections 16-26.7 through 16-26.9 (loud amplification devices in vehicles, public ways, and residential premises), and the Housing Court can enjoin repeat violations. Fines for those subsections escalate under 16-26.11: $50 for a first violation in a 12-month period, $100 for a second, and $200 for a third and each subsequent violation, plus an extra $100 for refusing to identify yourself or giving false information. A landlord who lets repeated violations continue after notice faces $150 at the third violation and $300 thereafter, unless the landlord documents a good-faith effort to stop it. Subsection 16-26.13 exempts police and emergency vehicles and any noise covered by a valid city license or permit.