[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Pound Ridge 2-3-2005 by L.L. No. 1-2005; amended in its entirety 2-9-2012 by L.L. No. 1-2012. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Alarms — See Ch. 36.
Animals — See Ch. 39.
Curfew, restaurant and cabaret — See Ch. 49.
Peddlers and solicitors — See Ch. 78.
Special events and outdoor sales — See Ch. 91.
The title to the chapter shall be known as the "Town of Pound Ridge Noise Control Law."
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Town of Pound Ridge to safeguard the rights of its residents within the privacy of their homes to be free from intrusive and unwanted sounds. Problems concerning disturbance of peace and quiet by noise from various activities are best solved by thoughtful discussions and cooperative agreements between neighbors or other affected parties. However, to resolve remaining problems of noise which is disturbing to others, it is the policy of the Town of Pound Ridge to establish standards, enforcement procedures and penalties.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
The Building Department of the Town of Pound Ridge.
COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY
Any work or activity associated with the normal exterior maintenance or repair of a property, performed by a third-party contractor, that is not regulated by the Town of Pound Ridge Building Department.
COMMERCIAL OPERATOR
Anyone engaged in a commercial activity.
HOLIDAYS
New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday, Presidents Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
[Amended 12-13-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022]
INTERNAL COMBUSTION LEAF BLOWER
Any device powered by a gasoline, diesel or similar fuel engine which is used, designed, or operated to produce a current of air for the purpose of pushing, propelling or blowing leaves, dirt, gardening and grass clippings and cuttings, refuse or debris, whether portable and carried, or walked behind, or attached to a tractor or similar machine.
[Added 12-13-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022]
NONCOMMERCIAL ACTIVITY
Any work or activity associated with the normal exterior maintenance or repair of a property, performed by an individual homeowner and family, that is not regulated by the Pound Ridge Building Department.
POLICE OFFICIAL
Any sworn member of the Town of Pound Ridge Police Department, any member of the New York State Police, or any other official who possesses the powers of a police officer, as defined in the Criminal Procedure Law, whose geographic area of employment includes the Town of Pound Ridge, Westchester County, New York.
[Amended 12-13-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022]
A. 
During the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday; from 6:00 p.m. on Saturday until 8:00 a.m. on Monday; and on all holidays (as defined herein), it shall be unlawful for a commercial operator to:
(1) 
Operate, cause to be operated, or permit the operation of a leaf blower, chain saw, lawnmower or other gardening or landscaping equipment which is powered by electricity, rechargeable battery or combustion engine.
(2) 
Operate, cause to be operated or permit the operation of any equipment, machinery, tool or any other device used in construction, building, grading, blasting, excavation, or tree removal that makes a noise or sound which is audible beyond the property line on which it is located.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for a commercial operator to operate, cause to be operated, or permit the operation of an internal combustion leaf blower between May 15 and October 15.
It shall additionally be unlawful for the owner, lessee or person having possession and control of any property to:
A. 
Permit such noise activities as defined in § 75-4 thereon.
B. 
Engage in or to conduct themselves in such a manner so as to disturb the peace of the neighborhood. A specific prohibition is continuous noise in excess of 45 dBa at the property line for 30 minutes or more between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection C, regarding engaging in continuous conduct that causes noise, which immediately followed, was repealed 12-13-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022.
A. 
The use of snowblowers, chain saws, generators, and other domestic tools and equipment is exempted from the limits of this chapter when they are being used to clear driveways, streets or walkways during and within 24 hours after the cessation of a power outage, weather event or similar emergencies.
B. 
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the production of music in connection with any military or civic parade, funeral procession, or religious service.
C. 
This chapter shall not be construed to prohibit the use of any organ, bell, chimes, or any other similar instrument or 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.
D. 
Sounds created by any governmental agency by the use of public warning devices are exempted from the limitations of this chapter.
E. 
Sounds created by public utilities in carrying out the operations of their franchise are exempted from the limitations of this chapter.
F. 
Sounds connected with activities and equipment of the Town of Pound Ridge are exempt from the limitations of this chapter, with the exception of internal combustion leaf blowers.
[Amended 12-13-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022]
G. 
Sounds created by contractors in the performance of public duties and operating under government direction are exempt from the limitations of this chapter.
H. 
The restrictions and limitations set forth in § 75-4 shall not apply:
[Added 12-13-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022]
(1) 
To any operating eighteen-hole golf courses in the Town of Pound Ridge.
(2) 
During times of emergency as determined by executive order of the Town Supervisor, provided the use of such equipment which is noncompliant with this chapter is deemed necessary by the Supervisor or other emergency response official to address the emergency adequately and expeditiously.
(3) 
Additionally, the Supervisor or his or her designee, may, in his or her discretion and upon application, grant a temporary permit to allow the operation of one or more gas-powered leaf blowers to accommodate a special circumstance. By way of illustration, a "special circumstance" includes, among other things, the remediation of an abandoned or neglected property, the cleanup of streets and roadways following a severe storm or any emergency situation which presents an immediate danger to public health and safety.
A. 
The Town Board of the Town of Pound Ridge is hereby authorized, by resolution, to suspend any of the provisions of this chapter in connection with any holiday celebration or upon any occasion of special public interest for such time and upon such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Town Board.
B. 
Where there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in the way of carrying out the strict letter of this chapter, the Town Board, based on information provided after review by the Planning Board and/or Zoning Board and/or Building Inspector, shall have the power to grant a temporary variance to the owners of properties with nonresidential use. The granting of this variance will be in harmony with the general purposes and intent of this chapter, will not be injurious to the community or any neighborhood or otherwise detrimental to public health and safety. The owner of said property must demonstrate good and sufficient cause for the granting of such variance. The Town Board will retain continuing jurisdiction over said variance and shall have the power to review, modify, rehear, reverse or annul, for good cause, any order, resolution, decision, or determination made with respect to such variance.
C. 
Special permits granted by the Town Board that include provisions regulating construction or maintenance operations shall supersede this chapter.
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the Police Department of the Town of Pound Ridge or any other police official as defined in this chapter.
A. 
Any violation of any provisions of this chapter by any person, firm or corporation shall be an offense and shall be punishable as follows:
(1) 
First offense conviction: issuance of a warning citation.
(2) 
For a second offense within one year of the issuance of a warning citation: a fine of no less than $100 and not exceeding $250.
(3) 
For a third offense within one year of a prior conviction or any subsequent convictions within one year of a prior conviction: a fine of not less than $250 and not exceeding $1,000.
B. 
The foregoing provisions for enforcement of the regulations of this chapter are not exclusive but are in addition to any and all laws applicable thereto.
The provisions of this chapter are not intended to interfere with or supersede those regulations, requirements, restrictions or conditions of other permits or ordinances in the Town of Pound Ridge. These include:
A. 
Building permits, issued by the Building Department, which regulate construction activities.
B. 
The restaurant/cabaret sections[1] of the Town Code, which says that music has to stop at 12:00 midnight in the Business District.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 49, Curfew, Restaurant and Cabaret.
C. 
Refuse pickup section[2] of the Town Code, which says that pickups have to be done between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 90, Solid Waste.
D. 
Site plan or special permit conditions approved by the Planning Board or Town Board when said review includes one or more public hearings.