[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Wood-Ridge 12-26-1975 by Ord. No. 701 as § 3-2 of
the 1975 Revised General Ordinances (Ch. 176 of the 1986 Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
It shall be unlawful for a person to make or cause to be made
any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise or any noise which by its nature
or by the time when it is made does or is likely to annoy, disturb,
injure or endanger the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of
others.
A.
Without intending to limit the generality of § 371-1, the following acts are hereby declared to be examples of loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise in violation of this chapter:
(1)
Musical instruments, radios, televisions, electronic devices. The
playing, projection or operation of any musical instrument or content
from a radio, television, electronic device, computer, streaming service,
recording, or television, cable or internet broadcasting service,
in indoor spaces or outdoor spaces, in a manner as to disturb the
peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring inhabitants or at a volume
that is louder than necessary for the convenient hearing of voluntary
listeners who are in the vehicle, building, structure or outdoor space
in which the sound originates. The following shall be prima facie
evidence of a violation of this chapter:
[Amended 7-15-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-13]
(a)
The causing of noise as described in § 371-2A(1) in an indoor space so that it is clearly audible at a distance of 100 feet from the vehicle, building or structure during the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. if the indoor space is located in the business zone and between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. if located in any other zone.
(2)
Yelling and shouting. Yelling, shouting or hooting on the public
streets, particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.,
or at any time or place which annoys or disturbs the quiet, comfort
or repose of persons in any dwelling or other type of residence or
of any persons in the vicinity.
(3)
Animals. The keeping of animals, birds or fowl which, by causing
frequent or long-continued noise, disturbs the peace, quiet, comfort
or repose of any person in the vicinity. Nothing herein contained
is intended to apply to dogs and cats kept as household pets, except
that they shall not be kept outdoors and allowed to bark, meow or
otherwise make noise during the hours between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00
a.m., except for limited durations of time for the purpose of walking,
urinating and defecating.
[Amended 7-15-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-13]
(4)
Horns. The sounding of a horn or warning device on an automobile,
motorcycle, bus or other vehicle, except when required by law, or
when necessary to give timely warning of the approach of the vehicle,
or as a warning of impending danger to persons driving other vehicles
or to persons on the street. No person shall sound a horn or warning
device on an automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle which emits
an unreasonably loud or harsh sound, or for an unnecessary or unreasonable
period of time.
(5)
Exhaust. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of a steam
engine, stationary internal combustion engine or motor vehicle, except
through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud
or explosive noise.
(6)
Defect in vehicle or load. The use of an automobile, motorcycle or
vehicle so out of repair or so loaded that it creates loud and unnecessary
grating, grinding, rattling or other noise.
(7)
Construction or repair. The execution of excavation, demolition,
construction, repair or alteration work, including work on private
homes and dwellings, other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and
8:00 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays and 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays,
except that such work is not permitted on Sundays and federal and
state holidays. In the case of urgent necessity or in the interest
of protecting the public health, safety or welfare, such work may
be performed on days and times contrary to this provision upon approval
from an appropriate municipal official.
[Amended 10-20-1986 by Ord. No. 86-16; 12-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-26; 7-15-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-13]
(8)
Schools, courts, churches and hospitals. The making of excessive
noise on a street adjacent to a school, institution of learning, church
or municipal court while in use or adjacent to a hospital, which unreasonably
interferes with the working of the institution or which disturbs or
unduly annoys patients in the hospital, provided that conspicuous
signs are displayed in such a street indicating that it is a school,
church, court or hospital area.
[Amended 12-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-26]
B.
The above enumeration is intended to give typical illustrations of
prohibited noise and shall not be construed as exclusive.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to apply to:
A.
The use of bells, chimes or sound amplifiers by churches engaged
in church activities.
B.
Activities of municipal departments in the performance of their duties,
drills or public demonstrations.
C.
Activities in public parks, playgrounds or public buildings under
permission or authority of municipal officials.
D.
The playing by a band or orchestra in a hall or building or in the
open air, where duly authorized.
