Southborough, MA Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Chapter 130 of the Code of the Town of Southborough was adopted by Town Meeting on 5-4-2022 under Article 26. Section 130-4 lists the prohibited activities and opens by limiting every item to conduct that generates an unreasonable disturbance. Subsection C then covers vehicles: motor vehicles operating within Southborough in violation of MGL c. 90, § 16, which addresses harsh, objectionable, or unreasonable noises. The bylaw does not print its own decibel reading, muffler specification or stereo volume limit for vehicles. It borrows the state standard by reference, so the test for a car, truck or motorcycle on a Southborough street is the one the Commonwealth's motor vehicle law sets.

Two neighboring subsections handle vehicle-related noise separately. Subsection B restricts engine idling for vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW, and subsection D restricts audible noise from loading or unloading trucks between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Those are distinct rules with their own triggers, so a loud exhaust or stereo falls under subsection C while a parked heavy truck falls under subsection B.

Section 130-5 exempts emergency sound and emergency work, including any vehicle, device or equipment in the performance of emergency work. It also exempts emergency activities such as storm cleanup, power outages, snow removal and generator use, provided that equipment runs with a working muffler or sound reduction device to the extent practical or feasible. Farming equipment or farming activity as defined by MGL c. 128, § 1A is exempt, as is necessary work on bridges, streets or highways by or for the Town, a public utility or a Commonwealth agency, and any activity to the extent State or Federal law preempts local regulation.

Under § 130-2 the Enforcement Official is a duly designated police officer, and § 130-7(A) charges the Police Department with enforcing the bylaw. The Select Board alone can grant a temporary exception under § 130-7(D), limited to no more than three days.