Danbury, CT Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Industrial emitter to residence
- 61 dBA day, 51 dBA night
- Commercial emitter to residence
- 55 dBA day, 45 dBA night
- Residential emitter to residence
- 55 dBA day, 45 dBA night
- Impulse noise, night
- 80 decibels peak to a residential zone
- Impulse noise, any time
- 100 decibels peak in any zone
- Measurement point
- About one foot inside the receptor boundary
Summary
Danbury sets metered noise limits in dBA by the zone class of the emitter and of the receiving property. An industrial emitter can reach 70 dBA at an industrial neighbor but only 51 dBA at a home at night, while commercial and residential emitters are held to 45 dBA at a residence after dark. Impulse noise is capped at 80 and 100 decibels peak.
(2)In addition to the plainly audible nonmetered standard set forth in this section, sound level meters may be utilized to determine whether any person is emitting any noise that is in excess of the standards as follows: ... 1.Class C (industrial) emitter to receptor:i.C: Seventy (70) dBA.ii.B: Sixty-six (66) dBA.iii.A/day: Sixty-one (61) dBA.iv.A/night: Fifty-one (51) dBA. ... 1.Class B (commercial) emitter to receptor:i.C: Sixty-two (62) dBA.ii.B: Sixty-two (62) dBA.iii.A/day: Fifty-five (55) dBA.iv.A/night: Forty-five (45) dBA. ... 1.Class A (residential) emitter to receptor:i.C: Sixty-two (62) dBA.ii.B: Fifty-five (55) dBA.iii.A/day: Fifty-five (55) dBA.iv.A/night: Forty-five (45) dBA. ... (3)No person shall cause or allow the emission of impulse noise in excess of eighty (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 one hundred (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: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 28-53(f) of the Danbury Code of Ordinances is the city numeric noise standard. Subsection (f)(1) says the general noise standards are intended to conform to the State of Connecticut regulations for stationary sources of noise, Connecticut State Regulations Section 22a-69-3.5. Subsection (f)(2) then allows sound level meters, in addition to the plainly audible standard, to decide whether a person is emitting noise above the limits in the table.
The table is read from the class of the emitter to the class of the receiving property. A Class C (industrial) emitter is held to 70 dBA at a Class C receptor, 66 dBA at Class B and, at Class A, 61 dBA by day and 51 dBA at night. A Class B (commercial) emitter is held to 62 dBA at Class C, 62 dBA at Class B, 55 dBA at Class A by day and 45 dBA at Class A at night. A Class A (residential) emitter is held to 62 dBA at Class C, 55 dBA at Class B, 55 dBA at Class A by day and 45 dBA at Class A at night. The classes track the zoning regulations: the code defines residential zones as single-family and multifamily residence zones, commercial zones as general, light and neighborhood commercial zones, and industrial zones as industrial districts.
Where the meter is placed matters. Subsection (f)(4) puts the measurement point about one (1) foot beyond the boundary of the emitter premises, inside the receptor premises, and treats the emitter premises as the individual unit of land or contiguous parcels under the same ownership in the public land records.
Subsection (f)(3) adds a peak limit for short bursts. Impulse noise, defined as sound of short duration with an abrupt onset and rapid decay, cannot exceed eighty (80) decibels peak sound pressure level during the nighttime to any residential noise zone, or one hundred (100) decibels peak at any time in any zone.
Subsection (g) then lifts these maximum levels for natural phenomena, bells and chimes from clocks, schools and churches, emergency sirens and alarms, OSHA-required warning devices, emergency noise including homeowner generators, lawn care equipment between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., licensed or permitted celebrations, snow removal equipment, aircraft flight operations preempted by the FAA, and activities authorized by law. The text of subsection (f)(2) breaks off mid-sentence under the Class A paragraph, so read the table values together with the general prohibition in subsection (d)(1).
Violations & Fines
Subsection (i) fines a first violation $25.00, a subsequent violation within one hundred twenty (120) days of the first $50.00, and any later violation within one hundred twenty (120) days of a previous violation $75.00. Each day a violation continues after the time for correction given in an order is separate. Written notice is given at the time of the noise or shortly after. The Danbury Police Department enforces the measurement and notice provisions under subsection (j), and a variance can be requested from the common council under subsection (k).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nighttime decibel limit at a Danbury home?
Where is the noise measured?
What is impulse noise and how is it limited?
Do the decibel limits apply to lawn mowers and snow blowers?
Can the decibel limits be waived?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Danbury
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