[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Wyckoff 9-20-1966 as Ord. No. 513. Section 143-5 amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I. Other amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Memorial Field — See Ch. 138.
A. 
It is found and declared that:
(1) 
The making and creation of loud, unnecessary or unusual noises within the limits of the Township of Wyckoff is a condition which has existed for some time and the extent and volume of such noises is increasing.
(2) 
The making, creation or maintenance of such loud, unnecessary, unnatural or unusual noises which are prolonged, unusual and unnatural in their time, place and use affect and are a detriment to the public health, comfort, convenience, safety, welfare and prosperity of the residents of the Township of Wyckoff.
(3) 
The necessity in the public interest for the provisions and prohibitions hereinafter contained and enacted is declared as a matter of legislative determination and public policy, and it is further declared that the provisions and prohibitions hereinafter contained and enacted are in pursuance of and for the purpose of securing and promoting the public health, comfort, convenience, safety, welfare and prosperity and the peace and quiet of the Township of Wyckoff and its inhabitants.
B. 
In determining whether a noise violates this chapter, it is intended that the effect of the noise on ordinary and reasonable persons and not the effect upon overly sensitive persons be controlling.
It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be made or continued or for any property owner to permit or allow to emanate from his property 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 within the limits of the Township.
The following acts, among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in violation of this chapter, but said enumeration shall be deemed to be exclusive, namely:
A. 
Horns, signaling devices, etc. The sounding of any horn or signaling device on any automobile, motorcycle, streetcar or other vehicle on any street or public place of the Township, except as a danger warning; the creation by means of any such signaling device of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound; and the sounding of any such device for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time. The use of any signaling device except one operated by hand or electricity; the use of any horn, whistle or other device operated by engine exhaust; and the use of any such signaling device when traffic is for any reason held up.
B. 
Radios, phonographs, etc. Playing, using, operating or permitting to be played, used or operated any electronic receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph or other machine or device for the production or reproduction of sound with louder volume than is necessary for convenient hearing of the person so playing, using or operating such instrument or device and such persons who are voluntary listeners thereto or in such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring inhabitants. The use or operation of any such instrument, electronic amplifier, phonograph, machine or device between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in such manner as to be plainly audible for a distance of 100 feet or greater from the building, structure, vehicle or place in which it is used or operated shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this chapter.
C. 
Loudspeakers, amplifiers for advertising. The using, operating or permitting to be played, used or operated of any radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker, sound amplifier or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound which is cast upon the public streets for the purpose of commercial advertising or attracting the attention of the public to any building or structure.
D. 
Yelling, shouting, etc. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or at any other time so as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office or in any dwelling or other type of residence, or of any persons in the vicinity.
E. 
Animals, birds, etc. The keeping of any animal or bird which, by causing frequent or long-continued noise, shall disturb the comfort or repose of any persons in the vicinity.
F. 
Exhausts. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal-combustion engine, motorboat or motor vehicle except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.
G. 
Defect in vehicle or load. The use of any automobile, motorcycle or vehicle so out of repair, so loaded or in such manner as to create loud and unnecessary grating, grinding rattling or other noise.
H. 
Loading, unloading, opening boxes. The creation of unnecessary noise in connection with loading or unloading any vehicle or the opening and destruction of bales, boxes, crates and containers between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., except in case of urgent necessity, is hereby prohibited.
I. 
Construction or repairing of buildings. Creating any audible noise by the erection (including excavating and landscaping), demolition, alteration or repair of any building other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on days other than Sunday, except in case of urgent necessity in the interest of public health and safety, and then only with a permit from the Building Inspector, which permit may be granted for a period not to exceed three days or less while the emergency continues and which permit may be renewed for periods of three days or less while the emergency continues. If the Building Inspector should determine that the public health and safety will not be impaired by the erection, demolition, alteration or repair of any building or the excavation of streets and highways between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and if he shall further determine that loss or inconvenience would result to any party in interest, he may grant permission for such work to be done between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. upon application's being made at the time the permit for the work is awarded or during the progress of the work. Incidental construction actually being performed by a property owner on his premises shall be permitted, provided the noise is not unnecessary.
J. 
Schools, courts, churches, hospitals. The creation of any excessive noise on any street adjacent to any school, institution of learning, church or court while the same are in use, or adjacent to any hospital, which unreasonably interferes with the workings of such institution or which disturbs or unduly annoys patients in the hospital, provided conspicuous signs are displayed in such streets indicating that the same is a school, hospital or court street.
K. 
Hawkers, peddlers. The shouting and crying of peddlers, hawkers and vendors which disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
L. 
Metal rails, pillars and columns, transportation thereof. The transportation of rails, pillars or columns of iron, steel or other material over and along streets and other public places upon carts, drays, cars, trucks or in any other manner, so loaded as to cause loud noises or as to disturb the peace and quiet of such streets or other public places.
M. 
Pile drivers, hammers, etc. The operation between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or on Sunday of any pile driver, steam shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick, steam or electric hoist or other appliance, the use of which is attended by loud or unusual noise.
N. 
Blowers. The operation of any noise-creating blower or power fan or any internal-combustion engine, the operation of which causes noise due to the explosion of operating gases or fluids, unless the noise from such blower or fan is muffled and such engine is equipped with a muffler device sufficient to deaden such noise.
O. 
Air conditioning. The operating and use of any air-conditioning unit or apparatus or any mechanical device particularly during the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. creating an audible noise which annoys or disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any dwelling or other type of residence. "Audible noise" shall mean a sound level in excess of 45 decibels on the Aweighted sound level, measured in the center of a room or place wherein the annoyance exists by a sound-level meter conforming to the standards of the American Standard Association, Inc., of New York.
P. 
Garbage and trash collection. Creating an audible noise as a result of the collecting of garbage, trash or construction debris on Sundays or between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
[Amended 4-2-2002 by Ord. No. 1407]
Q. 
Solid waste containers and dumpsters. Creating an audible noise as a result of the placing, setting, removal, filling or emptying of solid waste containers and/or dumpsters on Sundays or between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
[Added 4-2-2002 by Ord. No. 1407]
This chapter shall not be construed to apply to activities in the public parks, school grounds, playgrounds or public buildings under the permission or authority of the municipal or school officials or to activities of the municipal departments in the performance of their duties. The Township Committee may, upon application made to it, issue permits to civic organizations, churches or similar organizations in connection with the customary activities of such organizations.
[Amended 6-19-1984 by Ord. No. 927]
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.