New Britain, CT Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Class A residential, daytime
- 55 dBA at the property line
- Class A residential, nighttime
- 45 dBA at the property line
- Class C industrial receptor
- Up to 70 dBA from a Class C source
- Distance rule (day)
- Not audible past 300 feet, residential
- Distance rule (night)
- Not audible past 100 feet, residential
- Measurement standard
- ANSI S1.4-1971 Type S2A sound-level meter
- First-offense fine
- Up to $50.00 under Sec. 16-108
Summary
New Britain's noise ordinance sets a decibel table at Sec. 16-105 by emitter class and receptor zone, from 70 dBA industrial-to-industrial down to 45 dBA into a residential zone at night. A separate rule bars any residential noise audible past 300 feet by day or 100 feet at night, regardless of the decibel reading.
Sec. 16-105. - Noise standards. (a)It shall be unlawful for any person to emit or cause to be emitted any noise beyond the property lines of his/her premises in excess of the following noise levels: Emitter Noise Zone Receptor Noise Zone Class C B A-Day A-Night Class C 70 dBA 66 dBA 61 dBA 51 dBA Class B 62 dBA 62 dBA 55 dBA 45 dBA Class A 62 dBA 55 dBA 55 dBA 45 dBA (b)Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to emit or cause to be emitted from a residence any noise that is audible more than three hundred (300) feet beyond the property lines of his/her premises during daytime hours or more than one hundred (100) feet beyond the property lines of his/her premises during nighttime hours.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 16-105(a) sets New Britain's core decibel table, keyed to three emitter zones (Class C industrial, Class B commercial, Class A residential) and four receptor categories: noise crossing the property line into a Class C receptor tops out at 70 dBA from a Class C source, 66 dBA from Class B, and 61 dBA from Class A; the same Class A source drops to 55 dBA into a Class B receptor and only 55 dBA daytime, 45 dBA nighttime, into a Class A residential receptor.
Zones are defined by Sec. 16-104 as tracking the underlying zoning district: A covers S-1, S-2, S-3, T, A-1, A-2, A-3 and RO; B covers OP, B-1 through B-4 and TP; C covers I-1, I-2 and I-3. Sec. 16-105(b) adds a distance rule that operates independently of the decibel table: residential noise cannot be audible more than 300 feet beyond the property line during daytime hours, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, or more than 100 feet during nighttime hours.
Measurements are taken about one foot inside the receiving property line with a sound-level meter meeting ANSI S1.4-1971 Type S2A specifications, per Sec. 16-103. Sec. 16-108 fines a violation up to $50.00 for a first offense, escalating to $99.00 per day if the condition continues past a correction order.
Violations & Fines
Emitting noise across the property line above the Sec. 16-105(a) table for the receptor's zone, or making residential noise audible past 300 feet by day or 100 feet at night under Sec. 16-105(b), is a violation. Sec. 16-108 fines a first offense up to $50.00, rising to $99.00 for each day the condition continues after a correction order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nighttime decibel limit in a New Britain residential zone?
Does the decibel limit change by time of day?
How does the city measure whether a noise violates the decibel table?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Britain
Compare New Britain to another location·View the Connecticut noise ordinances overview
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