Noise Pollution

Noise Pollution

Noise pollution, defined by the EPA, includes “unwanted or disturbing sound.” This includes sounds which interfere with normal activities (e.g. sleeping, conversation, etc.) or diminishes one’s quality of life. While impacts from noise are not as readily apparent as water or air pollution, there are serious and well-established impacts on both human health and the environment. Noise regulations provide guidelines and grounds for enforcement to manage sources of noise pollution and mitigate these impacts.

Noise Ordinance Inventory

WestCOG partnered with Sustainable CT (along with its Summer 2025 Fellows Cohort), and acoustician Amy Ziffer to develop a noise ordinance inventory and accompanying report. The Inventory evaluated active municipal noise ordinances (as of August 2025) for the 169 municipalities in Connecticut against the noise control plan the state has adopted pursuant to Connecticut General Statute (CGS) §22a-69 . The Inventory provides a baseline for future planning and some next steps for municipalities considering updates to their noise ordinances.

Contact Mike Towle, Deputy Director at WestCOG for more information.