Warwick, RI Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime limit
- 60 dBA, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
- Nighttime limit
- 50 dBA, 10:00 p.m.-8:00 a.m.
- Ambient test
- Ambient + 10 dBA at property line
- 1st/2nd offense fine
- $50.00, payable by mail
- Measurement standard
- ANSI A-weighted sound level meter
Summary
Warwick caps noise from any premises affecting a residential zone or public right-of-way at 60 dBA from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 50 dBA overnight from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., or ambient plus 10 dBA, under City Code § 40-13(a).
(a)Maximum noise levels. It is declared to be a nuisance and shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, association or corporation to make, cause or allow to be made from any premises that is owned, occupied or controlled by such person upon any residential use or zone, public street, thoroughfare or right-of-way:(1)Any unnecessary noise or sounds which equal or exceed the following limits: MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVEL 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. 60 dBA; 10:00 p.m.-8:00 a.m. 50 dBA; ...(2)Any noise which exceeds the ambient noise level by ten dBA or more, when measured at the nearest property line.
Full Breakdown
Section 40-13(a) declares it a nuisance and unlawful for any person, partnership, association or corporation to make or allow noise from a premises they own, occupy or control that reaches a residential use or zone, public street, thoroughfare or right-of-way in excess of set limits. , drops to 50 dBA. Subsection (a)(2) adds an independent ambient-based test: noise exceeding the ambient noise level by ten dBA or more, measured at the nearest property line, or inside a unit of a multi-family building for noise from another unit or common space, is also a violation if it is physically annoying and causes discomfort.
Measurements under subsection (b) must use an A-weighted sound level meter meeting American National Standards Institute specifications, taken at the property line closest to the affected residential use or right-of-way. The building official and/or police department respond to complaints under subsection (c) to determine compliance.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the numeric dBA limits in § 40-13(a)(1)-(2) carry a $50.00 fine for a first and second offense, payable by mail or at the city municipal court, per subsection (f). A third and each subsequent violation instead draws the Code's general penalty under § 1-4, up to $500.00 or 30 days imprisonment, with each day of continued noise a separate offense. The board of public safety may grant a case-by-case special exception for licensed events under subsection (g).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Warwick's numeric noise limits?
Is there a separate test besides the fixed dBA numbers?
How is noise measured for enforcement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Warwick
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