Outdoor music in Somerville requires special event or entertainment licensing, with end times, decibel limits, and neighborhood notice conditions set by the Licensing Commission.
Outdoor music and amplified performances in Somerville are regulated under the Licensing Commission's entertainment license rules and the Noise Control Ordinance. Private backyard music on residential property is allowed provided it ends by 11:00 PM weekdays and 11:00 PM weekends without being plainly audible beyond the property. Public or commercial outdoor performances, including events at ArtFarm, Union Square Plaza, Davis Square, and Assembly Row, require a special event permit coordinated among the Licensing Commission, Somerville Police, and the Office of Arts and Culture. These permits specify start and end times, typically 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM, sound-level conditions, and neighbor notification requirements. Festivals like HONK and Fluff Fest operate under detailed site-specific conditions. Violations draw fines starting at 300 dollars and risk suspension of future permits for repeated noise offenses.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle outdoor music.
See how Somerville's outdoor music rules stack up against other locations.
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