Fall River, MA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Fall River, MA, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Weekday Quiet Hours
- 10 PM–7 AM
- Sunday Quiet Hours
- 10 PM–8 AM
- Vehicle Noise
- §70-9 prohibits excessive music devices
- State Standard
- 10 dBA above ambient (310 CMR 7.10)
- Enforcement
- Fall River Police Department
Summary
Fall River prohibits all noises that menace health or interrupt sleep between 10 PM and 7 AM on weekdays and 10 PM to 8 AM on Sundays. The city's noise regulations are enforced by the Fall River Police Department under the general nuisance provisions of the Revised Ordinances.
Section 21. Towns may, for the purposes hereinafter named, make such ordinances and by-laws, not repugnant to law, as they may judge most conducive to their welfare, which shall be binding upon all inhabitants thereof and all persons within their limits. They may, except as herein provided, affix penalties for breaches thereof not exceeding three hundred dollars for each offense, which shall enure to the town or to such uses as it may direct. Notwithstanding the provisions of any special law to the contrary, fines shall be recovered by indictment or on complaint before a district court, or by noncriminal disposition in accordance with section twenty-one D.
(1) For directing and managing their prudential affairs, preserving peace and good order, and maintaining their internal police.
(22) For controlling and abating noise from whatever source, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the right to restrict or limit the use of automobile horns and the operation of motor vehicles in such a manner as to cause excessive noise.
Full Breakdown
Fall River's noise ordinance prohibits disturbing noises during designated quiet hours. Section 70-9 specifically addresses music devices and sound systems that create excessive noise, including vehicles with loud sound systems parked in residential neighborhoods. The MassDEP 310 CMR 7.10 noise regulation also applies, prohibiting sound that exceeds ambient levels by more than 10 dBA at the property line. Complaints are handled by the Fall River PD and Code Enforcement.
Violations & Fines
First offense warning or citation. Municipal fines $50 to $300. MGL c.272 §53: fine up to $200 or imprisonment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the quiet hours in Fall River?
What happens if I violate the noise ordinance in Fall River?
Sources & Official References
- [1]Source
Other rules in Fall River
How Fall River compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Fall River to another location·View the Massachusetts noise ordinances overview
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Quiet Hours in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle quiet hours.