[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Wappingers Falls 11-13-1985 by L.L. No. 7-1985; amended in its entirety 2-12-1997 by L.L. No. 3-1997. Subsequent amendments
noted where applicable.]
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the
Board of Trustees to prevent unreasonable, loud, disturbing and unnecessary
sounds and vibrations and to reduce the noise level within the Village
to preserve, protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare
and to foster peace and quiet within the Village by the
inhabitants thereof. The Village Board finds that every person is
entitled to have maintained noise levels which are not detrimental
to life, health and enjoyment of property and that excessive and unnecessary
noise within the Village of Wappingers Falls affects and is a menace
to public health, safety, welfare and the comfort of the inhabitants
of the Village, either individuals or as a whole.
The following sounds shall not be deemed to
be a violation of this chapter:
A.
Sound created by church bells or chimes.
B.
Sounds created by any government agency or by the
use of public warning devices.
C.
Sounds created by lawn mowers, manual or power tools
and household appliances in use between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and
8:00 p.m. weekdays and 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
except for emergency power equipment noises, violent wind, storms,
etc., which require immediate cleanup and attention.
D.
Sounds created by public utilities in carrying out
the operation of their franchises.
E.
Sounds connected with sporting events of any public
organization or private or public school or authorized bazaars, fairs,
parades, exhibitions, etc., by either permit or authorization from
the village or by churches, nonprofit organizations, etc., within
the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight daily.
The following noises shall be prohibited:
A.
Television, radio, phonograph or musical instruments
in such a manner of operation or such volume as to annoy or disturb
the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any dwelling, apartment
or other type of residence.
B.
Animals and birds: owning, possessing or harboring
any animal or bird that frequently or for a continued duration makes
sounds that create a noise disturbance across a residential property
line.
C.
Automobiles or other vehicles: the use of any automobile,
motorcycle, recreational vehicle, bus or other vehicle so out of repair,
so loaded or in such a manner as to create loud and unnecessary grating,
grinding, rattling or other noise.
D.
Exhaust of engines that discharge into the open air
or the exhaust of any stationary internal combustion engine or motor
vehicle, except through a muffler or other device which will effectively
prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter
may be punishable by a fine of not more than $250 or imprisonment
for a period not exceeding 15 days, or both.
