Noise pollution isn't just annoying, it can have real impacts on our mental and physical health. The EPA has called EPA noise pollution “a growing danger to the health and welfare of the Nation’s population.” Exposure to loud and noisy environments long-term can worsen or lead to:
Hearing issues such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypersensitivity to sound
Cardiovascular disease
Type 2 diabetes
Sleep disturbances
Stress
Mental health and cognition problems, including memory impairment and attention deficits
Childhood learning delays and low birth weight.
Noise pollution also has connections to climate change. Many industry actors contributing to negative climate impacts generate excessive noise. Urban development and deforestation get rid of natural carbon sinks while also removing natural sound buffers.
Developers/construction crews must comply to the city noise ordinance.
Noise from construction is considered loud, disturbing, and unnecessary and is prohibited between the hours of:
6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
unless the building inspector issues a permit that allows for construction within those hours
unless there is an urgent necessity and the building instructor issues an emergency permit.
Construction is permitted between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays in the City of Lynn with a permit from the building inspector.
CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NOISH) developed a Sound Level Meter (SLM) app which measures noise to determine if people are exposed to hazardous noise levels. The free app combines the best features of professional sound levels meters and noise dosimeters into one simple tool.
You can download the app here.
Please note that the app is currently available for Apple IOS.
During construction hours, please contact Inspectional Services at permitting@lynnma.gov.
Roadwork is permitted by the Transportation Department and the Public Works Department. Please note that some roadwork may be permitted to occur at nighttime for emergency purposes. For complaints about roadwork construction:
For utility roadwork, report issues to the City of Lynn through SeeClickFix.
For concerns about noise related to HVAC systems, you can reach out to the Lynn Public Health Division call 586-6836 or email: lynnpublichealth@lynnma.gov.
If you do not see your issue listed above, please check the City of Lynn Noise page here.