For the purpose of this chapter, the terms used herein are defined as
follows:
DECIBEL
One-tenth of a bel, and a unit of a level when the base of a logarithm
is the 10th root of 10 and the quantities concerned are proportioned to power.
SOUND DEVICE OR APPARATUS
Any apparatus or devise for the making, reproduction or amplification
of the human voice or other sounds.
UNNECESSARY
That which is not required by the usual circumstances.
The following acts, among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing
and unnecessary noises in violation of this chapter, provided that they create
a noise exceeding 80 decibels at the adjoining property line, but the enumeration
herein shall not be deemed to be exclusive:
A. The operation of any radio, phonograph or use of any
musical instrument in such a manner or with such volume as to annoy or disturb
the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any dwelling, hotel or other type
of residence.
B. The keeping of any animal or bird which, by causing frequent
or long-continued noise, shall disturb the comfort and repose of any person
in the vicinity.
C. The use of any automobile, motorcycle, trail bike, model
airplane, minibike, snowmobile, bus or vehicle so loaded or operated in such
a manner as to create loud or unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other
noise.
D. The blowing of any steam whistle attached to any stationary
boiler, except to give notice to the time to begin or stop work or as a warning
of danger.
E. The discharge into the air of the exhaust of any steam
engine, stationary internal combustion engine or motor vehicle engine, except
through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive
noises therefrom.
F. The erection, including excavation, demolition, alteration
or repair of any building other than between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., except
in the case of urgent necessity in the interest of public safety as determined
by the Code Enforcement Officer or other applicable laws in the Code of the
Village of Greene.
G. The creation of any excessive noise on any street adjacent
to any school, institution of learning or court while the same is in session
or any medical facility, which unreasonably interferes with the workings of
such institutions, provided that conspicuous signs are displayed in streets
indicating that the same is a school, medical facility or court street.
H. The creation of a loud and excessive noise in connection
with the loading or unloading of any vehicle or the opening and destruction
of bales, boxes, crates and containers in such a manner as to create an unreasonable
or unnecessary noise of unreasonable extent and duration.
I. The shouting and crying of peddlers, hawkers and vendors
which disturb the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
J. The use of any drum, loudspeaker or other instrument
or device for the purpose of attracting attention to any sale or display of
merchandise by the creation of noise.
K. The sounding of any horn or signal device on any vehicle,
motorcycle, bus or other device except as a warning signal, pursuant to the
provisions of Subdivision 1 of § 375 of the Vehicle and Traffic
Law of the State of New York.
L. The use of any radio apparatus, talking machine, loudspeaker
or amplifier attached thereto in such a manner that the loudspeaker shall
cause the sound from such radio apparatus or talking machine to be projected
directly therefrom outside of any building or out of doors or the use of any
radio apparatus, talking machine, loudspeaker or amplifier which is in any
way fastened to or connected with any outside wall or window in any building
or structure so that the sound therefrom is projected outside of such outside
wall or window. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the
operation of a radio apparatus or talking machine used in a reasonable manner
by any person within any building or structure, provided that said radio apparatus
or talking machine or loudspeaker is not so arranged that such loudspeaker
shall project the sound therefrom directly outside of any building or out
of doors.
No person shall make, continue or cause or permit to be made, verbally
or mechanically, any unreasonable noise. An "unreasonable noise" shall mean
any excessive or unusually loud sound or any sound which creates public inconvenience,
annoyance, alarm or disturbance and which is publicly offensive or which recklessly
creates a risk of the foregoing. Standards to be considered in determining
whether unreasonable noise exists in a particular situation include the following:
B. The intensity of the noise.
C. Whether the nature of the noise is usual or unusual in
the context of ordinary human experience.
D. Whether the origin of the noise is natural or unnatural
in the context of ordinary human experience.
E. The proximity of the noise to residential sleeping facilities.
F. The nature and the zoning district of the area from within
which the noise emanates.
G. The time of day or night the noise occurs.
H. The time duration of the noise.
I. Whether the sound source is temporary.
J. Whether the noise is continuous or impulsive.
K. The creation of any noise which causes public inconvenience
or alarm or disturbs the public's peace, comfort or tranquillity.
L. The creation of any noise which exceeds 80 decibels at
the adjoining property line.
It shall be unlawful for any person to use or operate or cause to be
used or operated any sound device or apparatus in, on, near or adjacent to
any public street, park or place for commercial or business advertising purposes
or for any person to operate or drive any automobile, truck or other vehicle
for commercial or business advertising by means of any sound device or apparatus.
The use of any trade, business or corporate name or the name of any person,
proprietor or vendor in such commercial or business advertising shall be presumptive
evidence that such advertising was conducted by that person, business or corporation.
The following sounds shall not be deemed to be violations of this chapter:
A. Sounds created by church bells or chimes.
B. Sounds created by any government agency by the use of
public warning devices.
C. Sounds created by lawn mowers between the hours of 8:00
a.m. and 9:00 p.m. weekdays and 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Sundays.
D. Sounds created by public utilities in carrying out the
operation of their franchises.
E. Sounds connected with sporting events of any public or
private school or with an authorized carnival, fair, exhibition, parade, etc.,
allowed by permit of the Village Board.
F. Sounds on private property which do not carry beyond
the boundary lines of the property on which they are created.
G. Use of loudspeakers in connection with voter registration
projects and, within 30 days prior to an election, the use of loudspeakers
in connection with election campaigns between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., prevailing
time.
H. Between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., sounds
created in the exercise of any trade, industry, business or employment, provided
that it is not conducted in such a manner as to create any unreasonable or
unnecessary noise of an unreasonable extent and duration.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall
be punished by a maximum fine of $250 or a term of imprisonment not to exceed
15 days in jail, or both.
This chapter shall be administered and enforced by the Police Department
or Code Enforcement Officer.