West Haven, CT Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)

West Haven's Noise Control Ordinance (Chapter 154, adopted by the City Council 10-14-2003) defines the quiet period in § 154-3: nighttime hours run from 10:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m. local time, and daytime hours run from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Section 154-5A makes it unlawful to emit noise beyond the boundaries of your premises in excess of the established levels.

The limits are in the § 154-5B table, which is read by the zone that makes the noise (the emitter) against the zone that hears it (the receptor). For a residential emitter the printed cells are 62 dBA to an industrial receptor, 55 dBA to a commercial receptor, 55 dBA to a residential receptor by day and 45 dBA to a residential receptor at night. A commercial emitter has the same 45 dBA night figure toward homes, and an industrial emitter is held to 51 dBA. Zone classifications follow the actual use of a parcel under the Standard Land Use Classification Manual of Connecticut.

Section 154-5C adds two more night rules. Where background noise from unregulated sources already exceeds the standards, a source is excessive if it exceeds background by five decibels, and no regulated source can exceed 80 decibels at any time. Impulse noise, meaning sound of short duration with an abrupt onset and rapid decay, is capped at 80 decibels peak sound-pressure level during the nighttime to any residential noise zone, and at 100 decibels peak at any time in any zone.

Some noise is carved out by § 154-5D and § 154-5E, including emergency noise, engine-powered lawn care equipment between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and licensed recreational events such as parades and concerts. Under § 154-4, inspectors measure about one foot beyond the emitter's boundary, inside the receptor's premises, with a meter at least four feet above the ground.