Noise Ordinance and Event Licensing

Context

A Council order by Tony Economou, Jose A. Rivera, Kathleen M. Toomey, Gary Rosen and Robert A. Bilotta asked the Public Safety Committee to review the noise ordinance and the feasibility of a special noise variance for churches, festivals and organizations holding events. It grew out of complaints such as St. Joan of Arc Church Noise. At the committee, Inspectional Services Commissioner Nicholas J. Antanavica explained that ISD handles complaints in business hours and Police triage late-night reports, and members focused on one-day and annual entertainment licenses from the License Commission, abutter notice, repeat violators and unlicensed events.

Status

On September 8, 2026 the committee recommended filing the order after adopting four Chairman's Orders: a draft ordinance raising noise fines, a feasibility review of License Commission public hearings with abutter notice for all one-day event licenses, complaint and citation data at those hearings, and a report on the step-by-step event-license approval process, problem properties and best practices elsewhere. Those orders continue before the Council.

Log

• 2026-09-08 - Public Safety Committee - Discussion with the ISD Commissioner and Police Chief; four orders; recommended file.