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Quiet Hours & Noise Rules in Providence, Rhode Island
Confirm quiet hours, decibel limits, construction schedules, and reporting steps so you can keep the peace in your neighbourhood.
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Default quiet hours: 22:00-07:00 (nighttime residential; 55 dBA at the receiving property line, or violation if audible at 200 ft).
Weekends/holidays: 22:00-07:00 (same as weekdays).
Construction weekdays: 07:00-20:00 (permit required for 20:00-07:00; daytime standard 65 dBA or not audible at 200 ft).
Construction weekends: 07:00-20:00 (permit required for 20:00-07:00).
Providence deems noise unlawful if it exceeds zone limits (residential: 65 dBA day / 55 dBA night) or is audible at 200 ft. Construction 20:00-07:00 requires a special permit. See Chapter 16, Article III - Noise Control.
Residential quiet hours
22:00-07:00 (nighttime residential; 55 dBA at the receiving property line, or violation if audible at 200 ft).
Weekends & holidays: 22:00-07:00 (same as weekdays).
Decibel limits
65 dBA daytime / 55 dBA night
Measured inside receiving residence.
Construction hours
07:00-20:00 (permit required for 20:00-07:00; daytime standard 65 dBA or not audible at 200 ft).
Weekends: 07:00-20:00 (permit required for 20:00-07:00).
Lawn equipment
Machinery or leaf blowers <=65 dBA 07:00-20:00; <=55 dBA 20:00-07:00 (measured at or within the receiving property line) or if audible at 200 ft.
Includes gas-powered blowers, mowers, trimmers.
Party & music rules
Noise is considered unnecessary or offensive if it exceeds ambient by more than 10 dBA or is audible at 200 ft; yelling, shouting, or singing plainly audible at 100 ft between 22:00-07:00 for more than 10 seconds is prohibited.
Typical fines
$200-$500 (first offense $200 if admitted before the clerk; otherwise up to $500; $300 for subsequent clerk-admitted offenses).
First offense: ~$200 (varies by case)
Noise enforcement & reporting
Call or report via PVD 311 (Mayor's Center for City Services) for routine noise; Providence Police non-emergency for active disturbances.. Provide dates, times, and source details so dispatchers can prioritise the call. Anonymous complaints are accepted but detailed contact information helps with follow-up.
- Document the issue (record short clips, note times, and track duration for at least two nights if possible).
- Share a polite note with the neighbour or property manager. See the message templates below.
- Submit a complaint via https://www.providenceri.gov/pvd311/ or call PVD 311 (Mayor's Center for City Services) for routine noise; Providence Police non-emergency for active disturbances.. Ask for the incident number for reference.
- If the noise continues, follow up with enforcement referencing the incident number. Keep your documentation for any tribunal or landlord board filings.
Ready-to-send messages
Neighbour note
Hi - Providence limits residential noise at night (10 p.m.-7 a.m.) and treats sound that carries far as unreasonable. We have been hearing [music/voices] late; could you lower it during those hours? Thanks!
Landlord / property manager
Hello - We are reporting ongoing noise that appears to exceed Providence Chapter 16 (65 dBA day / 55 dBA night; 200-ft audibility standard). Please remind tenants and help bring it into compliance. I can share a brief log and clips.
Always confirm with the latest official notices or municipal postings before making plans.
Official bylaw source
Source: Providence Code of Ordinances, Chapter 16, Article III - Noise Control
This summary reflects updates verified on . Always confirm with the latest municipal notices before acting.
Tips for quieter living
- For construction 20:00-07:00, ask for the Public Works special permit number and include photos of site signage in your report.
- For amplified sound, note whether it was audible beyond roughly 200 ft or provide a 10-20 second clip from your property line.
- If the issue is recurring at a residence, Providence's ordinance includes a disorderly house provision after multiple convictions - log dates and times.
Frequently asked questions
Answers are summarized from the city bylaw for quick reference. For the full context, follow the official links below.