Massachusetts enforces a mandatory statewide building code to regulate both airborne (measured as STC) and structure-borne (measured as IIC) noises in the interior of residential buildings. All new construction must abide by these ordinances to be considered compliant with the code.
The provision relative to noise, 780 CMR 1214.0, reads as follows:
| 780 CMR 1214.0 SOUND TRANSMISSION CONTROL IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS |
1214.1 Scope: 780 CMR 1214.0 shall apply to all common interior walls, partitions and floor/ceiling assemblies between adjacent dwelling units or between dwelling units and adjacent public areas such as halls, corridors, stairs or service areas in all occupancies in Use Group R. 1214.2 Air-borne noise: Walls, partitions and floor/ceiling assemblies separating dwelling units from each other or from public or service areas shall have a sound transmission class (STC) of not less than 45 for air-borne noise when tested in accordance with ASTM E90 listed in Appendix A. This requirement shall not apply to dwelling unit entrance doors; however, such doors shall be tight fitting to the frame and sill. 1214.3 Structure-borne sound: Floor/ceiling assemblies between dwelling units or between a dwelling unit and a public or service area within the structure shall have an impact insulation class (IIC) rating of not less than 45 when tested in accordance with ASTM E492 listed in Appendix A. |
Massachusetts also enforces an exterior noise ordinance, measured in decibels (dB). While this ordinance provides a minimum compulsory requirement across the state, individual towns and cities implement their own noise ordinances in addition to the state-mandated law.
The ordinance for exterior noise, M.G.L. Chapter 111, Section 142A-M, reads as follows:
A noise source will be considered to be violating the Department’s noise regulation (310 CMR 7.10) if the source: 1. Increases the broadband sound level by more than 10dB(A) above ambient, or 2. Produce a “puretone” condition – when any octave band center frequency sound pressure level exceeds the two adjacent center frequency sound pressure levels by 3 decibels or more. These criteria are measured both at the property line and at the nearest inhabited residence. “Ambient” is defined as the background A-weighted sound level that is exceeded 90% of the time, measured during equipment operating hours. “Ambient” may also be established by other means with consent of the Department. |
Massachusetts regulates both interior and exterior noise to help ensure a peaceful and healthy environment for all residents. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) enforces a statewide noise policy, which defines a violation as sound that exceeds the ambient noise level by more than 10 decibels at the property line. You can read the full MassDEP Noise Policy here. Interior noise concerns, especially in apartments or condos, may also be addressed by local health and building codes. In addition to state laws, many cities and towns—like Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline—have their own local noise ordinances that set stricter limits to preserve neighborhood tranquility.
| City/Town | Noise Ordinance Summary | View Law |
|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | Between the hours of 11:00PM and 7:00AM decible levels must be no higher than 50dBA. At all other times, decible levels shall be louder than 70dBA. | Boston Noise Law |
| Billerica, MA | Different laws for different type of areas. Residential law: 60dBA from 7:00AM to 10:00PM, and 50dBA from 10:00PM to 7:00AM. | Billerica Noise Law |
| Braintree, MA | During the daytime, the max decible levels can not exceed 60dBA. At all ofther times, it can not exceed 50dBA. | Braintree Noise Law |
| Bridgewater, MA | Between the house of 7:00AM and 9:00PM sound must be no greater than 65dBA at property line.Between the house of 9:00PM and 7:00AM sound must be no greater than 60dBA at property line. | Click Here |
| Brookline, MA | Noise levels shal be no more than 10dBA above the background noise level at property line. | Click Here |
| Cambridge, MA | Different laws for different type of areas. Residential law: 60dBA from 7:00AM to 6:00PM, and 50dBA at all other times. Cambridge also specifies the max dBA at specific octive levels. | Click Here |
| Everett, MA | Between the house of 6:00PM and 7:00AM sound must be no greater than 50dBA at property line. | Click Here |
| Newton, MA | Noise levels shal be no more than 10dBA above the background noise level at property line. | Click Here |
| Marlborough, MA | Different laws for different land classification. Residential law: 53 dBA in the day time, and 43dBA at all other times. Marborough also specifies the max dBA at specific octive levels, along with different dBA levels in different land classification. | Click Here |
| Plymouth, MA | It shall be unlawful for any person or persons occupying or having charge of any building, structure, vehicle or premises or any part thereof in the town to cause or suffer or allow any unnecessary, loud, excessive or unusual noises in the operation of any radio, phonograph or other mechanical sound-making device or instrument, or reproducing device or instrument, or in the playing of any band, orchestra, musician or group of musicians, or in the use of any device to amplify the aforesaid, or the making of loud outcries, exclamations or other loud or boisterous noise or loud and boisterous singing by any person or group of persons, or in the use of any device to amplify the aforesaid noise, where the noise is plainly audible at a distance of 150 feet from the building, structure, vehicle or premises in which or from which it is produced. | Click Here |
| Somerville, MA | Depending on the duration of the noise, Somerville has different thresholds of maxiumin decible levels. Somerville classifies the duration of noise in three groups; less than 10 minutes, between 10 minutes and 2 hours long, and in excess of 2 hours long. With those groups, between the hours of 7:00AM and 6:00PM, the max dB levels are 75, 70, 60 respectfully. For the time periods of 6:00PM and 10:00PM the max decible levels are 70, 60, and 50 respectfully. Finally for the hours between 10:00PM and 7:00AM, the max decibles would be 60, 50, 40 respectfully. | Click Here |
| Quincy, MA | During the hours of 8:00AM to 5:00PM Monday – Friday, and 9:00AM to 5:00PM for weekends and holidays, the law states that the max decibles is 75dBA. For hours after 5:00PM, the max decibles would be 65dBA. | Click Here |
| Waltham, MA | Noise levels shal be no more than 10dBA above the background noise level at property line. | Click Here |
| Weymouth, MA | Noise levels shal be no more than 10dBA above the background noise level at property line. | Click Here |
| Worcester, MA | No person shall engage in persistent or repeated yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, singing, or the making of other loud noises between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in such a manner as to be plainly audible in any public place at a distance of 25 feet or more in any direction or so as to annoy or disturb the reasonable quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any dwelling, hotel, hospital, or other type of residence, or in any office, or of any persons in the vicinity of any such person in or on the public sidewalks, ways or other public places. . | Click Here |
| Hanover, MA | Adopted a bylaw to ensure residents are free from excessive sound that may degrade their quality of life. | Hanover Noise Bylaw (PDF) |
| Holbrook, MA | Prohibits operation of machinery or creation of noise associated with construction between certain hours. | Holbrook Noise Ordinance (PDF) |
| Bellingham, MA | Restricts excessive noise outside the hours of 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Mon-Sat) and Noon to 9:00 PM (Sun). | Bellingham Noise Ordinance |
| Southborough, MA | Allows homeowner work noise between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM on weekdays, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM on weekends and holidays. | Southborough Noise Regulations |
| Kingston, MA | Mandates conformance with state regulations regarding noise emissions. | Kingston Bylaws (PDF) |
| Lexington, MA | Prohibits excessive or unwarranted noise to protect citizens. Construction noise is permitted between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm on weekdays and Saturdays. | Lexington Noise Ordinance |
| Wellesley, MA | Prohibits unreasonable or unnecessary noise emanating beyond the premises. | Wellesley Noise Ordinance |
| Weston, MA | No hawker or peddler shall cause loud noise while conducting business. | Weston Noise Ordinance |
| Needham, MA | No use shall be permitted that causes nuisance or hazard due to excessive noise. | Needham Noise Ordinance |
| Belmont, MA | Construction noise is permitted between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm on weekdays and Saturdays. | Belmont Noise Ordinance |
| Concord, MA | Specific noise regulations not found in the provided sources. | Concord Noise Ordinance |
| Wayland, MA | No person shall permit or cause unreasonable and unnecessary noise to emanate beyond the premises. | Wayland Noise Ordinance |
| Sudbury, MA | No use shall be permitted that causes nuisance or hazard due to excessive noise. | Sudbury Noise Ordinance |
| Sherborn, MA | Noise from operation shall conform with the provisions of the Massachusetts Noise Regulations (310 CMR 7.10). | Sherborn Noise Ordinance |
| Westwood, MA | The first violation of the noise bylaw shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100. | Westwood Noise Ordinance |
| Milton, MA | The home occupation shall not create noise discernible at any boundary of the lot. | Milton Noise Ordinance |
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