Worcester, MA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

Section 1A(d)(2) is the only place in Worcester's noise chapter that states a hard decibel ceiling rather than a distance or ambient-relative test: "No person shall operate a motorcycle in such a manner as to exceed 82 dB(A) when operated at a speed of 45 mph or less, or in such a manner as to exceed 86 dB(A) when operated within a speed zone of over 45 mph. The sound level shall be measured by a sound level meter at a distance of fifty-five feet or more from the center lane of travel, as provided in G.L. c.

90, § 7U." Every other noise rule in the chapter, covering vehicle stereos, portable speakers, yelling, construction equipment and power tools, is written around distance thresholds (25, 50, or 125 feet) or an ambient-relative comparison rather than an absolute number, so a resident asking for a citywide decibel table by zone or time of day will not find one; the closest the ordinance gets to zoning-based treatment is exempting powered construction equipment from certain hours in residential districts under Section 1A(e)(9), and setting quiet hours of 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

(9:00 a.m. on Sundays and holidays) for hand tools and yelling in Section 1A(e)(5) and (e)(8). The motorcycle figures are tied to the statewide inspection standard in G.L. c. 90, § 7U, meaning Worcester police measure compliance the same way as the state's motor vehicle inspection program rather than a locally invented protocol.