Boston caps industrial and commercial noise under the Air Pollution Control Commission noise regulation. Fixed-source equipment cannot exceed 10 dBA above ambient at the property line.
The APCC noise regulation sets maximum sound pressure levels for fixed commercial and industrial sources. At residential receiving property lines the daytime ceiling is 70 dBA and nighttime is 50 dBA, and new sources may not raise ambient by more than 10 dBA. HVAC rooftop units, generators, compressors at buildings in the Seaport, Longwood Medical Area, and downtown must be sound-attenuated. Construction noise is separately regulated under Boston Public Works rules with a 7 AM to 6 PM weekday window. Logan Airport aircraft noise falls under FAA jurisdiction and Massport mitigation programs rather than city code.
APCC can issue notices of violation with fines up to $1,000 per day per violation and can require sound mitigation as a condition of occupancy.
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See how Boston's industrial noise rules stack up against other locations.
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