Rhode Island Noise Ordinance Laws (2026): Quiet Hours, Fines

In Rhode Island, disturbing another person "by making loud and unreasonable noise which under the circumstances would disturb a person of average sensibilities," in a public place or near a private residence the person has no right to occupy, is disorderly conduct, punishable by up to six months in jail, a $500 fine, or both (R.I. Gen. Laws 11-45-1). Separately, playing radios, televisions or other audio equipment loud enough to penetrate a closed vehicle from 20 feet away, or to be heard 100 feet away, violates the unreasonable noise levels law, with fines of $100, $200 and $300 (11-45.1-2, 11-45.1-3). Vehicles face decibel limits of 86 dBA in speed zones of 35 mph or less and 90 dBA above that (31-45-1). Quiet hours for homes are usually set by your city or town ordinance. To compare other states, see our guide to noise ordinance laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-10. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Rhode Island state law: disorderly conduct (R.I. Gen. Laws 11-45-1); the unreasonable noise levels chapter for audio equipment (11-45.1-1 to 11-45.1-3); vehicle noise limits, mufflers and horns (31-45-1, 31-45-4, 31-45-5, 31-23-8, 31-23-13, 31-22-26); snowmobile, recreational vehicle and boat mufflers (31-3.2-8, 31-3.2-10, 46-22-8, 46-22-19); disturbing meetings and worship (11-11-1); fireworks (11-13-1); offense classes (11-1-2); tenant conduct and lease termination (34-18-24, 34-18-36); the Traffic Tribunal fine schedule (31-41.1-4); town and city ordinance powers and penalty caps (45-6-1, 45-6-2, 45-2-57); shooting-range noise protection (11-47-62); the right-to-farm law (2-23-5, 2-23-6); public nuisance suits (10-1-1); and state campground quiet hours (250-RICR-100-00-8). It does not set out any particular city's or town's noise ordinance, and it does not cover federal property or other states.

Rhode Island noise laws at a glance

Disturbing the peace: disorderly conduct for loud noise

The statewide crime that reaches a loud neighbor is disorderly conduct:

"A person commits disorderly conduct if he or she intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly: ... (2) In a public place or near a private residence that he or she has no right to occupy, disturbs another person by making loud and unreasonable noise which under the circumstances would disturb a person of average sensibilities;" (R.I. Gen. Laws 11-45-1(a))

Every part of that sentence limits the offense. The person must act intentionally, knowingly or recklessly; the noise must be both loud and unreasonable; it must disturb another person; the test is whether it would disturb a person "of average sensibilities"; and the place must be public or near a private residence the person "has no right to occupy." The noise clause may not be construed to prevent lawful picketing or lawful demonstrations, including those relating to a labor dispute (11-45-1(d)).

Penalty. "Any person found guilty of the crime of disorderly conduct shall be imprisoned for a term of not more than six (6) months, or fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both" (11-45-1(c)). The statute also says that "any person, including a police officer, may be a complainant" for a violation (11-45-1(b)), so a neighbor can start the case, not only the police. With a maximum of six months or $500, disorderly conduct falls within the state's definition of a petty misdemeanor (11-1-2).

Loud music and the 20-foot and 100-foot rule

Rhode Island's Unreasonable Noise Levels chapter declares a state policy "to prohibit unreasonable, excessive and annoying noise levels from all sources subject to its police power," and names the equipment it has in mind: "radios, CD players, DVD players, tape players, televisions and other audio-producing equipment" (11-45.1-1). The operative test:

"It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any equipment as set forth in s 11-45.1-1 from which the sound created by this equipment is capable of penetrating a closed vehicle from twenty (20) feet away from the location at which the sound is being generated, or heard from one hundred (100) feet away by a person outside from which the sound is originating." (11-45.1-2)

The law exempts "all state and municipal vehicles" and any person or entity holding "a valid state or municipal entertainment license to sponsor a parade, carnival or other similar special event" (11-45.1-2).

Penalty. On conviction, the fine is "one hundred dollars ($100) for a first offense, two hundred dollars ($200) for a second offense, and three hundred dollars ($300) for the third and any subsequent offense" (11-45.1-3). These are set amounts, not ceilings. Because the only penalty is a fine of $500 or less, the offense falls within the state's definition of a violation rather than a misdemeanor (11-1-2).

The statute says it covers sound "electronically generated by autos, trucks, motor homes, mobile homes, houses, apartment buildings, condominiums, commercial buildings, or from any type of portable sound producing equipment that can be carried or placed outdoors" (11-45.1-2), so it is not limited to car stereos.

Quiet hours and local noise ordinances

Quiet hours, decibel limits for homes and construction hours usually come from your city or town ordinance. Councils may adopt ordinances "for the well ordering, managing, and directing of the prudential affairs and police of their respective towns and cities, not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this state, or of the United States" (45-6-1(a)).

State law caps what those ordinances can impose:

"Town and city councils may impose penalties for the violation of ordinances and regulations, not exceeding in amount five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisonment not exceeding thirty (30) days in some jail or house of correction, and/or require restitution in cases involving property damage or personal injury in an amount up to twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500) and/or require community restitution for a not-for-profit entity for not more than fifty (50) hours for any one offense" (45-6-2)

The General Assembly has also granted noise power to individual towns by special act. For example, the Richmond town council may "establish by ordinance standards for the control of noise originating within the limits of the town," provided "the regulation of noise from any particular source has not been preempted by state or federal law or regulation" (45-2-57).

To find your local rules, search your city's or town's code of ordinances for "noise," or call the city or town clerk. For noise in progress, call the police non-emergency line.

State campgrounds. At state park and management-area campgrounds, "all visitors shall be out of the campsites by 10:00p.m. each night," and "campers shall be quiet between the hours of 10:00p.m. and 7:00a.m." (250-RICR-100-00-8, s. 8.6(F)).

Vehicle noise: decibel limits, mufflers and horns

Decibel limits. Under 31-45-1(b), vehicle noise may be "not more than eighty-six (86) dbA" in speed zones of 35 mph or less and "not more than ninety (90) dbA" in zones above 35 mph. "Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in s 31-41.1-4" (31-45-1(c)), but that schedule lists no amount for the chapter 31-45 sections; the chapter's own penalty section sets a fine of "not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500)" (31-45-4). The limits are measured 50 feet from the center of the lane of travel (31-45-1(a)). They also apply to sound from a vehicle's "radio, stereo or audio system"; police cars, ambulances and fire engines are exempt, and a city or town may issue a temporary exemption by special permit on a showing of good cause (31-45-5).

Mufflers. Under 31-23-13, which the fine schedule labels "Muffler required," "no person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway" An exhaust system "shall be deemed defective" if changes "would cause the exhaust system to generate a higher or louder sound level than would be generated by the exhaust system customarily installed by the manufacturer as original equipment." Failing to restore the system within five days "shall be deemed a civil violation" subject to the fines in 31-41.1-4.

Horns. "No horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle," and a driver "shall not otherwise use the horn when upon a highway" except when reasonably necessary to warn (31-23-8).

Fines. The Traffic Tribunal schedule lists "31-23-13 Muffler required," "31-23-8 Horn required" and "31-23-10 Sirens prohibited" at $100 each (31-41.1-4).

Near horses. A driver near a horse and rider "may not blow a horn, or cause loud or unusual noises, in a manner to startle or frighten the horse" (31-22-26). It is a civil violation with a fine of up to $25 for a first offense and up to $50 for later offenses.

Snowmobiles, recreational vehicles and boats. Every snowmobile or recreational vehicle must have a muffler in good working order, and "the exhaust system shall not emit or produce a sharp popping or crackling sound"; organized races and similar events on permitted land are excepted (31-3.2-8). A violation of the chapter is a misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $100 or up to 90 days, or both, for a first offense, up to $250 or 90 days for a second, and up to $500 or 90 days for a third or later offense (31-3.2-10). A motorboat engine's exhaust must be "effectively muffled," and cutouts are prohibited except for approved regattas, races and trial runs (46-22-8); a violation is a civil violation with a fine of up to $100, heard by the Traffic Tribunal (46-22-19(1)).

Shooting ranges and farms

Shooting ranges. A range owner is protected from noise suits:

"No owner shall be liable in any action for nuisance, and no court shall enjoin the use or operation of the range on the basis of noise or noise pollution, provided the owner continues to be in compliance with any noise control law, ordinance or bylaws in effect at the time of the construction of the range." (11-47-62(a))

Decibel standards for outdoor noise in rules adopted by any state, city or town agency do not apply to those protected ranges (11-47-62(b)). The protection has a limit: nothing in the section authorizes an owner "to change the use and/or type of the range, or to expand the use and/or type of the range" (11-47-62(c)).

Farms. Under the right-to-farm law, no agricultural operation is found to be a public or private nuisance due to alleged objectionable "noise from livestock or farm equipment used in normal, generally accepted farming procedures" (2-23-5(a)(2)). The statute states that "this provision pertains only to nuisance actions under chapter 1 of title 10." The chapter does not apply to agricultural operations "conducted in a malicious or negligent manner" (2-23-6). Separately, city and town ordinances adopted under 23-19.2-1 may not be enforced against an agricultural operation (2-23-5(b)).

Meetings, worship, funerals and fireworks

Disturbing assemblies. A person who "shall willfully interrupt or disturb" a town or ward meeting, "any assembly of people met for religious worship, any military funeral or memorial service," a school, or any other lawful meeting, exhibition or entertainment, "either within or without the place where the meeting or school is held," faces up to one year in jail or a fine of up to $500 (11-11-1). Disorderly conduct also covers conduct that "obstructs or interferes physically with a lawful meeting, procession, or gathering" (11-45-1(a)(5)).

Fireworks. Display fireworks and aerial consumer fireworks may not be used without a permit (11-13-1(a)). Using, or possessing with intent to use, display and aerial consumer fireworks worth under $500 without a permit is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500 and/or up to one year for each offense; other violations of the section are a felony with a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to one year (11-13-1(b)). Ground-based and hand-held sparkling devices and novelties outside those definitions "shall be allowed at all times throughout the state for persons at least sixteen (16) years of age" (11-13-1(a)). Town and city councils may adopt ordinances they deem necessary for the safety of their inhabitants from "fire, firearms, and fireworks" (45-6-1(a)).

Dealing with a loud neighbor in Rhode Island

1. Check your city or town ordinance for quiet hours and limits.
2. Call the police non-emergency line for noise in progress. Depending on the facts, officers can act under the local ordinance, disorderly conduct (11-45-1), or the 20-foot and 100-foot amplified-sound rule (11-45.1-2).
3. You can be the complainant. Any person, not only a police officer, may be a complainant for disorderly conduct (11-45-1(b)).
4. For a continuing nuisance, state law lets "the attorney general or any citizen of the state" bring an action in the name of the state "to abate the nuisance and to perpetually enjoin the person or persons maintaining the nuisance" (10-1-1).

Renters. A tenant must conduct himself or herself, and require other persons on the premises with the tenant's consent to conduct themselves, "in a manner that will not disturb his or her neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of the premises" (34-18-24(7)). For a material noncompliance with the rental agreement, or a noncompliance with 34-18-24 materially affecting health and safety, the landlord must deliver a written demand notice; if the breach is not remedied within 20 days of mailing, the rental agreement terminates on a date at least 21 days after mailing, and if the tenant adequately remedies the breach before that date, it does not terminate (34-18-36(a), (b)). See our guide to Rhode Island landlord-tenant laws. For more on fireworks, see Rhode Island fireworks laws.

Related

• Noise ordinance laws by state
• Rhode Island landlord-tenant laws
• Rhode Island fireworks laws
• Massachusetts noise ordinance laws
• Connecticut noise ordinance laws

This article provides general legal information about Rhode Island law, not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Rhode Island or your city or town government.

Last updated: 2026-10-10.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the noise laws in Rhode Island?

Loud and unreasonable noise that disturbs another person can be disorderly conduct (R.I. Gen. Laws 11-45-1), amplified sound audible 100 feet away or able to penetrate a closed vehicle from 20 feet violates 11-45.1-2, and vehicles, including their audio systems, must stay under 86 or 90 dBA depending on the speed zone, with a fine of $50 to $500 (31-45-1, 31-45-4, 31-45-5). Cities and towns set quiet hours by ordinance.

What are the quiet hours in Rhode Island?

Quiet hours for homes usually come from your city or town ordinance, which may carry penalties up to $500 or 30 days (45-6-2). At state park campgrounds, campers must be quiet from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (250-RICR-100-00-8).

How far away can music be heard in Rhode Island?

It is unlawful to operate audio equipment whose sound can penetrate a closed vehicle from 20 feet away or be heard 100 feet away by a person outside (11-45.1-2). The fine is $100, $200, then $300 for repeat offenses (11-45.1-3).

What is the penalty for disorderly conduct in Rhode Island?

Disorderly conduct is punishable by up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both (R.I. Gen. Laws 11-45-1(c)), which falls within the state's definition of a petty misdemeanor (11-1-2).

What is the fine for a loud muffler in Rhode Island?

The Traffic Tribunal schedule lists the muffler-required violation under 31-23-13 at $100 (31-41.1-4). An exhaust altered to be louder than the original is defective, and failing to restore it within five days is a civil violation.

Can I file a noise complaint against my neighbor in Rhode Island?

Yes. Any person, including a police officer, may be the complainant for disorderly conduct (11-45-1(b)), and the attorney general or any citizen may bring an action in the name of the state to abate a nuisance (10-1-1). A tenant must not disturb neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of the premises (34-18-24(7)).