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Fall River, MA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Standard
Outright ban, no decibel threshold
Covers
Noise, vibration, odor, dust, smoke
Applies to
Any trade or industry
Reach
Citywide, all zoning districts

Summary

Fall River's zoning code flatly bars any trade, industry, or other use that is noxious, offensive, or hazardous due to noise, vibration, or the emission of odors, dust, gas, fumes, smoke, cinders, or excessively bright light, in any zoning district.

No trade, industry, operation, activity, heat source or other use that is noxious, offensive or hazardous by reason of vibration or noise or the emission of odors, dust, gas, fumes, smoke, cinders, flashing or excessively bright light or refuse matter shall be permitted.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4739915; v14 updated 2025-12-23; through 12-23-2025).

Full Breakdown

Division 3 of the zoning code's General Regulations article, titled 'Noxious Use,' bars any trade, industry, operation, activity, or heat source that is noxious, offensive, or hazardous because of the noise or vibration it generates, or because it emits odors, dust, gas, fumes, smoke, cinders, excessive glare, or refuse. Rather than setting a decibel ceiling, § 86-461 works as a blanket prohibition applying in every zoning district citywide, giving the Building Inspector and Zoning Board of Appeals a nuisance-based standard to deny or shut down an offending industrial or commercial use.

Violations & Fines

A trade or industrial use found noxious, offensive, or hazardous by noise, vibration, odor, or bright light under § 86-461 is a prohibited use citywide, subject to Building Inspector enforcement or denial of a use permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Fall River set a decibel limit for industrial noise?
No, § 86-461 instead bans outright any trade or industrial use that's noxious or offensive by reason of noise or vibration, regardless of a specific decibel reading.
Which uses does this noise ban apply to?
Any trade, industry, operation, activity, or heat source anywhere in the city: it isn't limited to industrial-zoned districts.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Fall River

Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsBarking DogsSome RestrictionsVehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree TrimmingSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: CompostingLight RestrictionsTrash & Recycling: Bin Placement RulesSome Restrictions

All Fall River rules

Compare Fall River to another location·View the Massachusetts noise ordinances overview

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Decibel Limits in Nearby Cities

How other cities in Bristol County handle decibel limits.

Taunton, MA
Some Restrictions