Manchester, NH Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential daytime limit
- 55 dBA, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Residential nighttime limit
- 50 dBA, 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Domestic power equipment cap
- 80 dBA at property line
- Enforcement
- Police Chief or designee
- First-offense fine
- $100 citation
Summary
Manchester caps noise at the property line by zone: 55-65 dBA daytime and 50-60 dBA at night, with tighter industrial and public limits.
Noise levels shall be measured at any point along the property line or within the property line of the receiving premises to determine compliance of the source... TABLE A Maximum Allowable Noise Levels (in dBA) with Time of Day Allowance... Residential 55 [day] 50 [night]... Commercial 65 [day] 60 [night]... Industrial 80 [day] 75 [night]... Public 75 [day] 70 [night]
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: current through Ord. passed 6-3-2025).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 94.10, Table A sets maximum allowable sound pressure levels measured at the receiving property line. Residential-to-residential noise is capped at 55 dBA from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and 50 dBA from 10 p.m.-7 a.m. Commercial and public sources hitting a residential receptor get a bracketed exception up to 60 dBA. Industrial-to-residential noise is capped higher, at 65 dBA, under the same preexisting-use exception. Commercial receptors allow 65/60 dBA day/night, industrial receptors 80/75 dBA, and public receptors 75/70 dBA. Domestic power equipment is separately capped at 80 dBA and commercial power equipment at 88 dBA at the property line, both only between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. The Police Chief or a designee enforces the chapter and can enter areas of public access to check compliance and issue citations under § 94.43.
Violations & Fines
$100 first offense, $250 second, $500 third, $1,000 for a fourth or later offense in the same calendar year; each day of violation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Manchester's noise limit measured?
Are lawnmowers and leaf blowers exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manchester
Compare Manchester to another location·View the New Hampshire noise ordinances overview
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Decibel Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle decibel limits.