Montgomery County, PA sets no decibel standard; municipalities do. Lower Merion Township, for example, caps residential noise at 65 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime, and nonresidential at 70 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime, measured at the receiving property line.
Numeric decibel limits exist only where a borough or township adopts them. Lower Merion Township's noise chapter sets maximum continuous A-weighted sound levels: residential zones 65 dBA daytime (8 a.m.-8 p.m.) and 50 dBA nighttime (8 p.m.-8 a.m.); nonresidential zones 70 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime, with impulsive limits of 75 and 60-65 dBA. Sound is measured within 10 feet of the property line nearest the source. Abington Township uses decibel limits for mechanical equipment (55-70 dBA) but relies on 'plainly audible' tests elsewhere. Many smaller towns use only 'plainly audible' or 'loud and unnecessary' standards, with no meter reading required.
Lower Merion imposes fines of $100 to $1,000 per offense, each day a separate violation, plus a $75 reinspection fee after repeated confirmed complaints within 60 days.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Montgomery County's decibel limits rules stack up against other locations.
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