This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Village
of Waterloo Noise Ordinance."
The purpose of this chapter is to preserve the public health,
peace, welfare and good order by suppressing the making, creation
or maintenance of excessive, unnecessary, unnatural or unusually loud
noises which are prolonged, unusual and unnatural in their time, place
and use and which are detrimental to the environment.
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 endangers the health, safety or welfare of the community
or which annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, rest,
health, peace or safety of others within the Village of Waterloo.
The following acts, among others, are declared to be loud, unnecessary and disturbing and a danger to the health, safety and welfare of the community and its people in violation of §
166-3, but the enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive:
A. Using, operating or permitting to be played, used or operated any
radio, television, hi-fi, stereo, phonograph, CD player or other machine
or device for the producing or reproducing of sound in a manner as
to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of any persons in the vicinity.
The operation of any of the devices set forth in this subsection in
such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 15 feet from
the building, structure, device or vehicle in which it is located
shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section. A person
who causes the production of said sound through the operation of the
machines or devices enumerated herein may be deemed a violator of
this chapter.
B. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing or the making of
loud or disturbing noises by the use of clappers, bells, horns, musical
instruments or similar devices at any time or place so as to unreasonably
annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or rest of any person in any residence,
hospital, school, place of business, street or public place.
C. The keeping of any animal which, by causing frequent or long-continued
noise, shall disturb the comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity.
D. The use of any automobile, motorcycle, truck or vehicle operated
in such a manner as to create loud and unnecessary grating, grinding,
rattling or other noise.
E. The operation or use of any power lawn mower, chain saw, fence post
driller or other similar devices between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and
7:00 a.m.
F. Any of the following activities when occurring in close proximity
to residents between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.: the warming up or idling
of buses, trucks or tractors and the unnecessary or unreasonable or
repeated idling, acceleration or deceleration or starting and stopping
of automobiles or motorcycles.
G. The operation of construction equipment between the hours of 8:00
p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on any day or at any time on Sunday. Such equipment
includes, but is not limited to, pile drivers, pneumatic hammers,
derricks, dredges, tractors, earthmoving equipment and other similar
construction equipment.
H. The use, by any vehicle, of engine-driven braking system (such as
Jake brakes®) within the Village limits.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the following:
A. The production of music in connection with any military or civic
parade, funeral procession or religious service or school activities
or functions.
B. Use of any organ, bell, chimes or any other similar device by any
church, synagogue or school on or within its own premises in connection
with religious rites or ceremonies of such church or synagogue or
in connection with a school education program.
C. Sounds created by any governmental agency by the use of public warning
devices, including but not limited to police and fire vehicles.
D. Sounds connected with sporting events of any public or private school,
burglar alarms or other warning devices when properly installed on
publicly or privately owned property, provided that the cause for
such alarm or warning device producing the sound is investigated and
turned off within a reasonable period of time.
E. Emergency construction work, upon permission of the Village, which
is necessary for the protection of life or property.
Any person, alone or in concert with others, who shall violate
any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation and,
upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of not more than
$250 or to imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or both.