Newton, MA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Automobiles/light trucks
- 75 dB(A) max
- Vehicles over 10,000 lbs.
- 86 dB(A) max
- Construction equipment
- 90 dB(A) max
- Lawn/yard equipment
- 65 dB(A) max
- Measurement distance
- 50 feet from source
- Tonal sound correction
- limit cut by 5 dB(A)
Summary
Newton's Sec. 20-13(g) sets hard decibel ceilings by noise source rather than one citywide number: vehicles are capped at 75 to 86 dB(A), construction equipment at 75 to 90 dB(A), and lawn equipment at 65 dB(A), all measured 50 feet from the source or property line. Exceeding these caps is a separate violation from the general noise-pollution and curfew rules in the same section.
(g) Maximum Noise Levels. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (e)(1) and (e)(2), the following are the maximum noise levels that are permitted for the specified purposes: Maximum noise level dB(A) permitted: (1) Vehicles Vehicle Class............................Stationary or Moving All vehicles over 10,000 lbs. GVW or GCWR ...... 86 All Motorcycles ...................................................... 82 Automobiles and light trucks.................................. 75 Noise measurements shall be made at a distance of fifty (50) feet from the closest point of pass-by of a source or fifty (50) feet from a stationary vehicle.
Full Breakdown
Sec. " Vehicles over 10,000 lbs. GVW or GCWR are capped at 86 dB(A), motorcycles at 82 dB(A), and automobiles and light trucks at 75 dB(A), measured 50 feet from a moving vehicle's pass-by point or from a stationary vehicle. Construction and demolition equipment, backhoes, bulldozers, concrete mixers, dump trucks, loaders, pavers, pneumatic tools, rollers, and scrapers, is capped at 90 dB(A), air compressors at 85 dB(A), and hand or power tools other than chainsaws at 75 dB(A), while the cumulative noise from an entire construction site running at once cannot exceed 90 dB(A) either.
Yard, garden, and grounds equipment splits into commercial chippers and truck-mounted leaf vacuums at 90 dB(A) and all other equipment, including home tractors, mowers, and trimmers, at 65 dB(A). Subsection (g)(4) lowers every one of those ceilings by 5 dB(A) whenever the source emits a tonal sound, defined as a pure tone, whine, hum, or buzz. Measurements for the equipment tables are taken 50 feet from the source or the nearest lot line, whichever distance is less, using a Type I or II ANSI A-weighted sound level meter required under subsection (g)(7).
Because these limits apply notwithstanding the general noise-pollution test in (e)(1) and (e)(2), a source can violate the ordinance by exceeding its numeric ceiling alone, even without separately proving a background-noise increase.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding any Sec. 20-13(g) limit is a misdemeanor fined up to $300 under Sec. 20-13(k), with each day of continuing violation treated as a separate offense. The Police Department or Inspectional Services Department investigates and must log every complaint's outcome under Sec. 20-13(l); the city can also pursue civil fines under Sec. 17-23.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Newton's decibel limit for lawn mowers?
How loud can construction equipment be in Newton?
Does a whining or humming sound get a stricter limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newton
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Decibel Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle decibel limits.