A local noise ordinance for relatively small community, population 16,000

Abstract

This paper presents a local noise ordinance developed for a relatively small community with a population of about 16,000. Key features are ease of enforcement by the use, 95 to 99 percent of the time, of simplified methods, with more detailed, rigorous procedures used only when needed (less than 5 percent of the time). When the more complex procedures are used, they are to be performed with qualified personnel and equipment that are external to the township staff. Use of sound level meters is minimized by employment of noise control techniques that depend on more easily measured factors than sound pressure level. Specifically, the ordinance includes such techniques as speed limits (for noise control), distance criteria, time of day, and the criteria “plainly audible,” to reduce reliance on traditional measurements using a sound level meter. The ordinance includes enforcement procedures and qualifications for both the “every day” actions that should be 95 to 99 percent of all of the actions, and the more detailed and precise measurements procedures for the infrequent times that they are needed