A noise ordinance is a law that regulates the amount, duration, and source of noise affecting a community. It is usually effective at night and violations can be reported to the police. The ordinance includes noises from residential, industrial, and commercial structures. Some communities update and enforce these laws differently. People can check if there is a noise ordinance in their community and should talk to their neighbor before filing a complaint.
A noise ordinance is a locally created law that governs the amount of noise, the duration of the noise, and the source of sounds other than ambient noise affecting residents of a community. Basically, the law defines what sounds are and are not acceptable at any given time so that residents can live comfortably within a community in terms of the sounds they hear. A city or county noise ordinance is usually effective at certain times of the day. It is typically applied at night during times when most people are sleeping. Violations are often reported to the police or local officials by individuals who are disturbed by sounds and believe an ordinance has been violated.
The sounds or noises that are usually defined in a noise ordinance are those commonly produced by residents, but many ordinances also include industrial and commercial structures when located near residential areas. Examples of noises that may violate the law are barking dogs, loud music, power tools, automobiles or motorcycles with excessively loud engines, fireworks or explosives, and shouting. The ordinance is designed to keep the residents of a community comfortable in their homes. In other words, if someone can hear noises while trying to sleep and those noises are intentionally caused by other residents in the area, it could signal a violation of a noise ordinance. Many people have mixed views on ordinances restricting sound, with the opposition arguing that such laws violate certain rights.
Noise ordinances are handled differently by each community, with some local officials continually reviewing their community’s ordinance and updating it as necessary. Some smaller communities may not enforce these laws at all. Other communities find it difficult to enforce existing laws due to differing interpretations of the law.
People can find out if there is a noise ordinance in their community by checking with local law enforcement or by checking their city’s official website. If someone believes a neighbor is violating a noise law, officials believe it’s best to talk to the neighbor before filing an official complaint. Usually local law enforcement should only be called if the neighbor can’t be contacted or doesn’t respond to complaints.
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