Fairfield, CT Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Fairfield's Noise chapter bans excessive noise outright: § 78-3 makes it unlawful for anyone to emit noise beyond their property line in excess of the levels set in § 78-5, during the daytime or nighttime hours defined in § 78-2, except for the specific exceptions listed in §§ 78-7 and 78-8. Section 78-5A sets the actual limits in a table keyed to receptor type and time of day, measured in A-weighted decibels (dBA) with a sound level meter: 45 dBA in a Residential District at night, 55 dBA in a Residential District during the day, 60 dBA in a Business District at all times, and 65 dBA in an Industrial District at all times.

Residential, Business and Industrial Districts are themselves defined by cross-reference to the Town's separate Zoning Regulations in § 78-2. Measurement procedure is set by § 78-4: readings must be taken with an instrument meeting American National Standards Institute Type S2A specifications, by personnel trained in current sound-measurement techniques, at a point at least one foot beyond the emitter's property line within the complaining receptor's premises. Enforcement runs through the Police Department under § 78-6, which investigates on complaint, though § 78-6F makes clear no signed complaint is required.

A first violation of the dBA table draws a verbal warning, a second offense within six months draws a citation of up to $100, and further offenses in that period draw up to $250 each, under § 78-6B. Where the chapter's standards conflict with any stricter Town or Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection standard, § 78-10 applies the stricter one.