[HISTORY: Adopted by the Annual Town Meeting of the Town of Nantucket 6-5-2021 ATM by Art. 70, approved 10-7-2021.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This article superseded former Ch. 101, Noise, adopted 4-6-1982 by Art. 31, approved 6-23-1982, as amended, which bylaw was adopted in addition to a noise bylaw adopted 3-18-1969 ATM by Art. 97, which bylaw is on file in the Clerk's office.
A. 
Prohibited noises. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to create, assist in creating, cause or suffer or allow any excessive, unnecessary, loud or unusual noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the reasonable quiet, comfort, repose or the health or safety of others by taking any of the following actions:
(1) 
Making of loud outcries, exclamations, other loud or boisterous noises or loud and boisterous singing by any person or group of persons or in the use of any device to amplify the aforesaid noise between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (7:30 a.m. between June 15 and September 15 in each year) where the noise is plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet from the source of the noise or the property line of the building, structure, vehicle, vessel, or premises in which or from which it is produced. The fact that the noise is plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet from its source or the property line of the building, structure, vehicle, vessel or premises in which or from which it originates shall constitute prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
(2) 
To operate, play or permit the operation or playing of any electronic sound-producing device, radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier or similar device which produces, reproduces or amplifies sound between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (7:30 a.m. between June 15 and September 15 in each year) where the noise is plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet from the source of the noise or the property line of the building, structure, vehicle, vessel, or premises in which or from which it is produced. The fact that the noise is plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet from the property line of the building, structure, vehicle, vessel or premises in which or from which it originates shall constitute prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
(3) 
To load, unload, open, close or otherwise handle boxes, crates, containers, building materials, trash cans, dumpsters or similar objects between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. so as to unreasonably project sound across a real property line.
(4) 
Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically powered tools or equipment actually being used in ongoing building construction, building renovations, non-emergency building maintenance, or building demolition work is prohibited between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. [7:30 a.m. between June 15 and September 15 in each year, except for in the Old Historic District (OHD) as shown on the map entitled "Core Historic Districts," dated April 9, 2019, as may be amended from time to time, where the prohibition is between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. between and including July 1 and Labor Day] Monday through Saturday and before 10:00 a.m. Sunday. The fact that the sound therefrom is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from its source or the property line of the building, structure, vehicle, vessel or premises in which or from which it originates shall constitute prima facie evidence of a violation of this section. Work referenced in this section shall include any work for which a building, sidewall or roof, shingle, trench, tent, plumbing, gas, or wiring permit has been issued by the Town of Nantucket and any work for which a certificate of appropriateness has been issued by the Historic District Commission.
(5) 
Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically powered tool (such as saws, drills, sanders, grinders, nail guns) or mechanically powered lawn or garden tool, or similar device used outdoors shall be prohibited between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. [7:30 a.m. between June 15 and September 15 in each year, except for in the Old Historic District (OHD) as shown on the map entitled "Core Historic Districts," dated April 9, 2019, as may be amended from time to time, where the prohibition is between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. between and including July 1 and Labor Day] Monday through Saturday and before 10:00 a.m. Sunday. The fact that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from its source of the property line on which the tools are being used shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
(6) 
Repairing, rebuilding, modifying, or testing any motor vehicle, motorcycle, or motorboat in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the source of the sound or the property line of the premises on which said activity is located is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (7:30 a.m. between June 15 and September 15 in each year) Monday through Saturday and before 10:00 a.m. Sunday. The fact that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from its source of the property line on which the work is being conducted shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
B. 
Exemptions. The following uses and activities shall be exempt from Subsection A of this section:
(1) 
Noises of safety signals, warning devices and emergency pressure-relief valves.
(2) 
Noises resulting from any vehicle when responding to an emergency call or acting in time of emergency.
(3) 
Noises resulting from emergency and maintenance work as authorized by the Town, by the state or by public utility companies.
(4) 
Noises resulting from activities of a temporary duration permitted by a permit issued in accordance with this bylaw, but only to the extent such activities and the resulting noises are within the scope of such license or permit.
(5) 
Bells, chimes or carillons while being used for religious purposes or in conjunction with religious services, and those bells, chimes or carillons that are presently installed and in use for any purpose.
C. 
Permit for relief.
(1) 
Upon written application, the Select Board, or its designee, may issue a permit authorizing an activity which is likely to result in noise that would otherwise be prohibited by § 101-1A of this bylaw.
(2) 
The application shall be in writing, and shall contain the following information:
(a) 
The name, address, email address and phone number of the proponent of the activity;
(b) 
The specified dates and times of the proposed activity;
(c) 
The particular location, specifying outdoors, indoors or indoors open to the outdoors, and where on the premises the specified noise is to originate;
(d) 
Proof of ownership or the right to use the property in question; and
(e) 
The type of noise: i.e., amplified music, amplified speaking or singing voice, live band, acoustic musical instrument, or construction work, other.
(3) 
The Board or its designee will issue a decision on the application within seven days of receipt thereof, unless the applicant demonstrates a need for the permit in a lesser period of time; provided, however, that a timely decision cannot be guaranteed if less than 48 hours' notice is required.
(4) 
The Board or its designee may grant the permit subject to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions to protect public health, safety and welfare so as to advance the purposes of this bylaw to the greatest extent possible.
(5) 
The Board or its designee may deny the application if the activity conflicts with another activity previously permitted, if the activity presents a threat to public health or safety or welfare, or if the activity is prohibited by the laws of the commonwealth or the Town of Nantucket. If the application is denied, the Board or its designee shall provide the applicant with a statement of reasons.
(6) 
The Select Board may enact regulations to effectuate the purposes of this bylaw.
(7) 
The issuance of a permit pursuant to this bylaw shall not relieve the applicant of the requirements of any other applicable laws concerning the activity at issue.
A. 
Prohibited noises.
[Amended 6-5-2021 ATM by Art. 80, approved 10-7-2021]
(1) 
No person shall operate or cause to be operated any air-conditioning or air-handling equipment, swimming pool or spa pump, or an exhaust fan, in such a manner as to exceed 55 dBA over a ten-minute period of time, measured from a distance of 40 feet or more from the source of the sound or the property line of the premises on which said activity is located at any time of the day or night.
(2) 
Commencing on December 1, 2020, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers at all times of the day on all days of the year, by any commercial landscaper, commercial landscape company, or other entity engaged in the business of providing home and yard repair, cleanup, and maintenance services for a fee shall be prohibited on a Town-wide basis.
(3) 
Upon written notice to the owner of the property as recorded with the Nantucket Assessor of a violation of § 101-2A, and the property owner fails to mitigate the violation within 14 days, then the property owner shall be deemed to be in violation of § 101-2A.
B. 
Sound measurement.
(1) 
The measurement of sound or noise shall be made with a sound level meter meeting the standards prescribed by ANSI S1.4, as may be amended or superseded from time-to-time. The instrument shall be maintained in calibration and good working order. A calibration check shall be made of the system at the time of any noise measurement. Measurements recorded shall be taken so as to provide a proper representation of the noise source. During measurement, the microphone shall be positioned so as not to create any unnatural enhancement or diminution of the measured noise. A windscreen for the microphone shall be used when required. Traffic, aircraft and other transportation noise sources and other background noises shall not be considered in taking measurements except where such background noise interferes with the primary noise being measured. Sound level limits pursuant to this rule shall be measured over a ten-minute period of time with a sound level meter. Sound levels which exceed the limits set forth in paragraph A above when measured are a violation of this rule.
A. 
This bylaw may be enforced by Board of Health officials, Nantucket Police Department Employees, plus Inspectors, Natural Resources Enforcement Officers, and any other agents appointed by the Select Board.
B. 
Whoever violates any provision of this bylaw may be penalized by a noncriminal disposition process as provided in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, § 21D, and the Town's noncriminal disposition bylaw, §§ 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, and 1-6 of the Code of the Town of Nantucket.
C. 
If noncriminal disposition is elected, then any person who violates any provision of this bylaw shall be subject to a penalty in the amount of $300 for each violation; provided, however, that a first offense may be the subject of a warning in the officer's discretion.
D. 
Each such act which constitutes a violation of this bylaw, which either continues or is repeated more than 30 minutes after the issuance of an order to cease said activities, shall be considered a separate offense. If more than one, each condition violated shall constitute a separate offense.
E. 
A violation of this chapter may be deemed a breach of the peace. Violators shall first be given a verbal order by the enforcing police officer to cease or abate the noise immediately or within a specified period of time. If the person or persons so ordered do not comply with the verbal order, the enforcing police officer may arrest such person or persons for a violation of this chapter.
F. 
Whoever violates any provision of this bylaw may be penalized by indictment or on complaint brought in the District Court. Except as may be otherwise provided by law and as the District Court may see fit to impose, the maximum penalty for each violation or offense shall be $300. Each day or portion thereof shall constitute a separate offense. If more than one, each condition violated shall constitute a separate offense.
G. 
The Town may enforce this bylaw or enjoin violations thereof through any lawful process, and the election of one remedy shall not preclude enforcement through any other lawful means.