[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of
the City of Saco 5-1-1995 as Ch. III, Sec. 3-3, of the 1994 Code.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that
citizens are not disturbed by loud or annoying noises that prevent
the peaceful enjoyment of routine and normal activities.
No person shall, in any area which includes
residential land uses (including hotels and motels), make, continue
or cause to be made or continued any loud or unusual noises which
shall interfere with normal activities or annoy, disturb, injure or
endanger the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others. Loud
or unusual noises shall include but not be limited to:
A.
The sounding of any horn or signaling device, except
as a danger warning.
B.
The playing of any machine or device for the production
or reproduction of sound in such a manner as to disturb the peace,
quiet and comfort of neighboring inhabitants and passersby.
C.
The use of any loudspeaker or amplifier for the purpose
of commercial advertising or attraction of the public to a specific
building or for the purpose of communication within a business building.
D.
Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing.
[Amended 12-1-2008]
A.
Construction and maintenance activities shall be restricted to the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. within 500 feet of any building used for residential, hospital or nursing home purposes except as provided in § 149-5.
B.
Construction activities shall include but not be limited
to the following:
(1)
The use or operation of power or heavy equipment in
connection with road, street or bridge construction, reconstruction
or repair.
(2)
The use or operation of power or heavy equipment in
connection with the installation or repair of utility lines, pipes,
wires or cables.
(3)
The use or operation of power or heavy equipment in
connection with the construction of buildings, including, specifically,
excavations for foundations or landscaping work of any kind.
(4)
The renovation, repair, remodeling or demolition of
any existing building or structure.
[Amended 8-22-2005; 12-1-2008]
[Added 12-1-2008[1]]
Exemptions are as follows:
A.
Situations
where the Public Works Department determines that the construction
activity is of a unique character which cannot reasonably be completed
or performed during the permitted hours and which is not of a recurring
nature, provided that prior to engaging in such activity the contractor
or his representative gives notice to the Director of Public Works
of the time and scope of such proposed activity.
B.
Noise generated
by private snow plowing and removal equipment.
C.
Noise from
domestic power equipment, such as but not limited to power saws, sanders,
grinder, lawn and garden tools or similar devices operated during
normal work hours.
D.
The noises
of safety signals, warning devices, emergency pressure relief valves,
and any other emergency activity.
E.
Timber
harvesting (felling trees and removing logs from the woods) during
normal work hours.
F.
Noise generated
by any construction or demolition equipment which is operated during
normal work hours.
G.
Emergency
construction or repair work by the federal and state entities or public
utilities is exempted.
H.
Noise created
by municipal vehicles or their agents engaged in municipal operations,
including but not limited to plowing, the removal of snow, street
cleaning, and painting activities.
I.
Noise generated
by the curbside collection of municipal waste and recycling may be
extended beyond 8:00 p.m. with approval of the Director of Public
Works or his or her designee with just cause. Additionally, the Director
of Public Works may allow the start of collection earlier than 6:00
a.m., during periods of extraordinary accumulation of curbside waste
and recycling material, including, but not limited to, holiday overflow
allowances.
J.
Noise created
by any recreational activities which are permitted by law and for
which a license or permit has been granted by the City, including,
but not limited to, parades, sporting events, concerts, and fireworks
displays.
[Amended 12-1-2008]
Use of recreational vehicles, which shall include
but not be limited to all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and dirt bikes,
in areas which include residential uses shall be restricted to the
hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.