Noise law aims for quiet nights
A number of noises are exempt, such as sounds from school activities, public concerts, emergency equipment, blasting and public announcements.
UPPER POTTSGROVE >> Township residents had better get used to keeping it quiet after 10 p.m.
Otherwise, they might be subject to a fine as much as $1,000 for violating the township’s newly adopted noise ordinance.
Adopted unanimously at the Feb. 21 board of commissioners meeting, the ordinance has been in the works for many months.
The ordinance, which is an attempt to control noise that bothers other residents, is the commissioners’ attempt “help neighbors be neighborly,” said Upper Pottsgrove Commissioners Chairman Elwood Taylor.
Commissioner France Kazalkovich said he initially opposed the law, but was now satisfied with the changes made by Township Solicitor Charles D. Garner Jr.
According to the text of the ordinance, violations would occur between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Anyone convicting of violating it can be fined up to $1,000 and/ or 30 days in jail.
A number of noises are exempt, such as sounds from school activities, public concerts, emergency equipment, blasting and public announcements.
Unlike some ordinances, which use sound-measuring devices, the new ordinance, simply cites as evidence of a violation “any noise that disturbs two or more residents who are in general agreement as to the time and durations of the noise, and who live in separate residences,” including separate units in the same building, “shall be prima facie evidence of a noise disturbance.”
The ordinance specifically points to noisy activities connected to motor vehicle repairs, powered model vehicles, power tools, loading and unloading, yelling, music and radios and, in a delightfully comprehensive review of animal noises: “howls, barks, crows, meows, squawks, snorts, growls, screeches, roars, bah-gawks, cock-a-doodle-dos, screams, squeaks, clicks, chirps, caws, bleats, quacks, honks, hisses, neighs, whines, chatters, bellows, moos, hoots, oinks, coos, gobbles, sings, groans or other sounds of a similar nature.”
All, if annoying two people between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., are liable for citation by the Upper Pottsgrove Police.