Cambridge, MA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential daytime limit
- 60 dB(A)
- Residential nighttime limit
- 50 dB(A)
- Commercial limit
- 65 dB(A) anytime
- Industrial limit
- 70 dB(A) anytime
- Fine per violation
- $300 per day
Summary
Cambridge caps outdoor noise by zoning district under Municipal Code Chapter 8.16. Residential lot lines can't exceed 60 dB(A) by day and 50 dB(A) at night, commercial areas top out at 65 dB(A), and industrial areas at 70 dB(A), measured at the property line.
E.Area Noise Standards. Noise standards referred to in this chapter for the several zoning districts of the City, as defined in and established pursuant to the City zoning ordinance are established by Table 8.16.060E following this section. TABLE 8.16.060E TABLE OF ZONING DISTRICT NOISE STANDARDS Single Number Equivalent (dB(A)) Residential Area Daytime 60 Other Times 50 Residential in Industrial Daytime 65 Other Times 55 Commercial Area Anytime 65 Industry Area Anytime 70
Full Breakdown
060 sets measured noise limits keyed to the zoning district where the receiving property sits, not where the noise originates. 060E; subsection C does the same for commercial areas and subsection D for industrial areas. 5 Hz through 8,000 Hz plus a single-number dB(A) equivalent: 60 dB(A) daytime and 50 dB(A) other times in residential areas, 65/55 dB(A) for residential property located in an industrial area, 65 dB(A) anytime in commercial areas, and 70 dB(A) anytime in industrial areas. 030). The measured-noise standard excludes noise from construction sites, intermittent homeowner outdoor equipment, and bell or clock towers. c. 40 § 21D, or pursue a misdemeanor prosecution.
Violations & Fines
Violations carry a $300 civil citation for each day the noise continues, issued under G.L. c. 40 § 21D, and a person may separately be prosecuted for a misdemeanor punishable by a $300 fine on conviction. Enforcement officials can also seek a court injunction to abate the source, and may summarily suspend, or after a hearing revoke, any license or permit connected with the offending use, including a building or demolition permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the noise limit for a residential neighborhood in Cambridge at night?
Does the decibel limit apply to construction noise?
Who enforces Cambridge's decibel limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cambridge
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Decibel Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle decibel limits.