Subject:
Title
Consider amending Section 15-3-2(d)(4) Noise Violations; penalties to exempt non-road-related construction noise only during the daytime
Body
Presented By: Melody Barger, Graduate Student Intern
Recommendation and Review
Currently, Section 15-3-2(d)(4) exempts construction noise on real property from the requirements laid out in 15-3-2(d)(1). The general noise ordinance law requires that noise be no louder than 65dB during the daytime (7:00am-10:00pm) and no louder than 55dB during the nighttime (10:00pm-7:00am). However, the construction exemption allows for construction noise on real property to be louder than both the daytime and nighttime maximums at any time. Due to the exemption, constituents can experience the disruption of their sleep by construction noise at any hour of the night.
The proposed changes to Section 15-3-2(d)(4) simply stipulate that construction noise is exempted from the decibel maximum only between the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm. This amendment will disallow construction noise on real property after 10:00pm and before 7:00am. These changes will provide a layer of protection for residential neighborhoods during the hours when residents typically are asleep.