Quincy, MA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Exempted equipment
- Residential landscaping equipment
- Condition
- Used per manufacturer specifications
- Stated time restriction
- None in § 215-8(A)
- Listed as noise example
- § 215-2, 'continuous noise'
Summary
Quincy, Massachusetts (Norfolk County) exempts residential landscaping equipment, including leaf blowers, from its noise chapter as long as it is maintained per the manufacturer's specifications, with no separate time-of-day cap stated for that exemption.
This chapter does not apply to:
A. Residential landscaping equipment maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
B. Emergency operations by fire and rescue services, police agencies, or public utilities and their contractors.
C. A source or condition expressly subject to any state or federal noise control law or regulation that is more stringent than this chapter.
D. Sound, not electronically amplified, created between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. by sports, amusements, or entertainment events or other public gatherings operating according to the requirements of the appropriate permit or licensing authority. This includes athletic contests, carnivals, fairgrounds, parades, band and orchestra activities, and public celebrations, except in areas designated noise-sensitive areas.
E. Noise sources associated with routine residential living during daytime hours, such as home workshops, power tools, and power lawn and garden equipment, when used in accordance with manufacturer specifications. This exception does not apply to repairs or maintenance on a motor vehicle that is not registered for use on public roads and/or amplified sound originating from a home entertainment system, television, stereo or similar electronic device.
F. Boats operated in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4608810; v7 updated 2025-10-06; through 10-06-2025).
Full Breakdown
Quincy Municipal Code § 215-8(A) excludes 'residential landscaping equipment maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications' from the noise chapter entirely. Leaf blowers are listed elsewhere in the chapter, at § 215-2, as an example of 'continuous noise,' but compliant residential landscaping equipment is carved out from the numeric dBA limits in § 215-4 by the § 215-8(A) exemption.
Violations & Fines
A leaf blower or similar residential landscaping equipment used outside manufacturer specifications loses the § 215-8(A) exemption and becomes subject to the § 215-4 dBA limits and § 215-10 enforcement by the Department of Inspectional Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are leaf blowers restricted to certain hours in Quincy, MA?
Can Quincy still cite someone over a leaf blower?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Quincy
How Quincy compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·Compare Quincy to another location·View the Massachusetts noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.