Massachusetts regulates industrial and commercial noise statewide through the Department of Environmental Protection under the Air Pollution Control regulations, prohibiting noise that creates a condition of air pollution.
Under 310 CMR 7.10, MassDEP defines unreasonable noise as sound exceeding ambient levels by more than 10 dBA at the property line or any inhabited residence, or producing a pure tone condition. This applies to all stationary sources statewide including factories, HVAC equipment, generators, and commercial operations. DEP Policy 90-001 establishes measurement methodology. Enforcement is shared between DEP and local boards of health.
Civil penalties up to $25,000 per day per violation under MGL c. 111, Section 142A; cease and desist orders; equipment shutdown.
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County does not handle abandoned vehicles. MGL c. 90B §2 allows police to remove abandoned vehicles after 72 hours. Quincy, Brookline, and Weymouth t...
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County does not regulate chickens or livestock. Each town sets its own rules via zoning and board of health regulations. Suburban towns often restric...
Bellingham, MA
Bellingham follows the Massachusetts state framework for residential fire pits: cooking-only fire pits and grills are exempt from open-burning rules, but any...
Bellingham, MA
Bellingham allows residential open burning only during the Massachusetts state burn season — January 15 through May 1 — with a daily permit from the Bellingh...
Norfolk County, MA
Brookline enacted the first MA town-wide ban on new artificial turf on town property (2023 Town Meeting Art. 14). Other Norfolk County towns allow turf resid...
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County does not restrict rainwater harvesting. MA has no statewide restrictions on residential rain barrel or cistern use. Many Norfolk County towns ...
See how Bellingham's industrial noise rules stack up against other locations.
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