West Haven, CT Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Chapter 154 of the West Haven Code, the West Haven Noise Control Ordinance, was adopted by the City Council on 10-14-2003 and approved by the state Department of Environmental Protection in December 2003. Section 154-5 makes it unlawful to emit noise beyond the boundaries of your premises above the stated levels. The limit depends on the emitter's zone and the receptor's zone. A residential emitter must stay at 62 dBA toward an industrial neighbor, 55 dBA toward a commercial neighbor and 55 dBA toward a residential neighbor by day, and 45 dBA toward a residential neighbor at night. A commercial emitter faces 62, 62, 55 and 45 dBA in the same columns. An industrial emitter faces 70, 66, 61 and 51 dBA.

Daytime hours are 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and nighttime hours are 10:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m. Zones follow actual use under the Standard Land Use Classification Manual of Connecticut (SLUCONN). Measurements are taken about one foot beyond the emitter's boundary inside the receptor's premises, with the meter at least four feet above the ground (§ 154-4).

Where background noise from other sources already exceeds the standards, a source is excessive if it exceeds background by five decibels, but no covered source can exceed 80 decibels at any time. Impulse noise cannot exceed 80 decibels peak at night into a residential zone or 100 decibels peak at any time in any zone (§ 154-5C).

Section 154-5E exempts construction and demolition during daytime hours (equipment barred before 7:00 a.m.), lawn equipment between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., snow removal equipment at any time, licensed events such as parades and concerts, and emergency noise. The Director of Health inspects, and a variance is decided within 15 days under § 154-11.