Nashua, NH Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)

Nashua's noise framework as applied to short-term rentals operates entirely through generally applicable code, because the city has not adopted an STR-specific noise standard. Chapter 201 (Noise), adopted 8-9-2005 by Ord. No. O-05-96, is the operative ordinance. It uses a primarily subjective standard rather than a decibel-meter approach: noises that 'annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of persons in neighboring premises' are prohibited at any time. Specific public-disturbance acts include (1) yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, or singing on public streets between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and (2) operating an electrically amplified sound system in or on a parked or moving motor vehicle so as to produce sound clearly audible more than 50 feet (15 meters) from the vehicle. Chapter 128 (Construction and Demolition Work) separately restricts construction and demolition activity in residential zones or within 600 feet of any dwelling unit to weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., with tighter weekend limits, which is relevant when a STR property owner attempts renovation work between guest stays. Chapter 182 (Housing Standards) imposes general nuisance and habitability standards. Because Nashua has no STR ordinance, there is no 'designated local contact' duty, no permit condition tying STR operation to quiet-hours compliance, and no STR-specific revocation pathway - all enforcement runs through the Nashua Police Department on complaint and through Code Enforcement under the housing and zoning codes. Most operators adopt house rules calling for 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. quiet hours and no-party rules to align guest behavior with Chapter 201's 11:00 p.m. threshold and the broader 'annoy or disturb' standard, and platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo enforce party-and-event policies through their own terms of service.