Lowell STR guests must comply with the city noise ordinance prohibiting unreasonable noise at all times and plainly audible noise during overnight quiet hours.
Short-term rental guests in Lowell are subject to the same noise ordinance as residents. Chapter 245 of the Lowell Municipal Code prohibits unreasonable noise that disturbs the peace and quiet of neighbors. Overnight quiet hours run from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM, during which amplified music, loud voices, parties, and similar sounds plainly audible at the property line or in adjacent dwelling units are prohibited. STR hosts are strongly encouraged to include house rules in their listings limiting outdoor gatherings, specifying quiet hours, and capping guest counts. Violations can result in fines to the property owner, who retains responsibility for guest conduct. Repeated violations may jeopardize state STR registration and trigger additional scrutiny from Lowell Inspectional Services. Police respond to noise complaints at STRs via the non-emergency line, and citations are issued to the operator of record.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Lowell, MA
Lowell applies the Massachusetts DEP 10-dB-above-ambient standard for objective measurement and uses a plainly-audible test for subjective enforcement.
Lowell, MA
Lowell restricts gas-powered leaf blower use to daytime hours; no outright ban exists, but decibel and hour limits apply under the general noise ordinance.
Lowell, MA
Outdoor music at restaurants, breweries, and event venues in Lowell requires an entertainment license and must end by 10 p.m. in residential zones.
Lowell, MA
Lowell enforces nighttime quiet hours that restrict unreasonable noise in residential areas, authorized under MGL c.40 s.21 and enforced by Lowell Police and...
Lowell, MA
Amplified music from homes, vehicles, or outdoor events in Lowell must not be plainly audible beyond 50 feet and is subject to permit rules for public venues.
Lowell, MA
Industrial operations in Lowell must keep noise within Massachusetts DEP guidelines and the local ordinance, with stricter limits at residential property lines.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle noise rules.
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