[Adopted 12-11-1950 (Ch. 48 of the 1967 Code)]
It shall be unlawful to make, create, cause, suffer, encourage or permit
to be made any unnecessary, loud, prolonged or disturbing noise within the
limits of the Township of River Vale.
The following are declared to be unnecessary and disturbing noises and
a violation of this article, but this enumeration shall not be deemed to be
exclusive:
A. The sounding of any horn or signal device on any premises,
within any building or on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle,
except as a necessary warning or danger signal.
B. The playing of any radio, phonograph, musical or other
instrument or device, or the using of a loudspeaker or similar device, in
such manner and of such volume as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or
repose of persons in any dwelling, residence, tavern, store or other building
or upon other properties.
[Amended 4-9-1970]
C. The use of any drum, band, loudspeaker or other instrument
or device for the purpose of attracting attention by creation of noise to
any rally, performance, show, carnival, fair, or the sale of either real or
personal property, except when permission has been granted by the Township
Council or some authorized person or committee acting under its authority.
This shall not be construed to prevent or limit religious, nonsubversive political
or patriotic activities, if conducted between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00
p.m., except insofar as the same may be limited by Subdivision G hereof.
D. The use, operation or running of any automobile, motorcycle,
mechanical equipment or vehicle so out of repair or in such manner as to create
loud or unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise, whether upon
the streets or highways or adjacent thereto.
E. The blowing of any steam whistle attached to any boiler,
except to give notice of the time to begin or stop work, or as a warning or
danger signal.
F. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any
motor vehicle or engine, except through a muffler which effectively prevents
loud, explosive noises therefrom, or discharging any pistol, gun, firearm,
weapon or explosive. This subsection shall not prohibit persons duly licensed
from hunting during the open seasons upon unposted lands, where permitted
by the owners of posted lands, or elsewhere within the Township of River Vale
not limited or restricted against hunting during hunting seasons; nor shall
it prevent patriotic observances under proper municipal control.
G. The creation of any excessive or unnecessary noise on
any street, or grounds adjacent thereto, within 200 feet of any school, place
of worship, public meeting or court while the same is in session or any hospital,
rest home or sanatorium at any time, which interferes with the orderly, quiet
and effective conduct and operation of the same.
H. Construction activities shall be prohibited during certain hours in accordance with §
90-5 of the Code.
[Amended 12-21-1993 by Ord. No. 0-21-93]
I. The shouting and crying of peddlers, hawkers and vendors
which disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
J. The keeping or having in possession of any animal or
bird which emits or issues any noise, bark, bray, bellow, cry or sound that
disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity.
K. The idling or standing of any motor vehicle, refrigeration
trailer or other mobile compressor for the purpose of picking up or delivering
goods for resale within the Township of River Vale between the hours of 11:00
p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
[Added 12-20-1979 by Ord. No. 0-29-79]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a penalty as provided in Chapter
1, General Provisions, Article
I, §
1-14, in the discretion of the Judge or Municipal Court before whom or which such conviction shall be had.
[Adopted 5-9-2005 by Ord. No. 114-2005]
In case of urgent necessity or in the interest of public health or safety,
the Superintendent of Pubic works or the Chief of Police may grant a permit
for excavation, demolition, construction, repair or alteration work for a
period not to exceed three days, by the terms of which permit such work may
be carried on during otherwise prohibited hours.
It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be
made or continued any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise or any noise which
either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health,
peace or safety of others or to create any unreasonably loud, disturbing and
unnecessary noise of such character, intensity or duration as is detrimental
to the life or health of any individual or persons within the limits of the
Township of River Vale.
Noise caused in the performance of emergency work for the immediate
safety, health or welfare of the community to restore property to a safe condition
following a public calamity shall not be subject to the provisions of this
article. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit law enforcement,
ambulance, fire or other emergency personnel to make excessive noise in the
performance of their duties when such noise is clearly unnecessary.
It shall be the duty and responsibility of the Police Department of
the Township of River Vale to enforce the provisions of this article.
Any person, as defined in this article, who shall be found guilty of
violating any provision of this article shall, for each offense, be fined
a sum of not more than $500 or be imprisoned for a period not exceeding 90
days, or both, in the discretion of the court hearing the complaint. Each
day of such violation's continuance shall be considered a separate offense
and shall be separately punishable.
The operation or maintenance of any source in violation of any provision
of this article shall be deemed and is declared to be a public nuisance and
may be subject to abatement summarily by a restraining order or injunction
issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or in any manner available for
the abatement of public nuisances.