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 within the limits
of the Township of Washington.
The following acts, among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing
and unnecessary noises in violation of this chapter, but said enumeration
shall not be deemed to be exclusive:
A. Horns, signaling devices, etc. The sounding of any horn or signaling
device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle, except
as a danger warning; the sounding of any such device for an unnecessary
and unreasonable period of time; the use of any horn, whistle or other
sounding device operated by engine exhaust; the use of any such signaling
device when traffic is for any reason held up.
B. Radios, phonographs, etc. The playing or permitting to be played
of any radio, television, musical instrument, phonograph or other
machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound in such
manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of persons off the
premises where the same is played or with louder volume than is necessary
for convenient hearing upon such premises. The operation of any such
machine or device between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in
such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from
the premises in which it is located shall be prima facie evidence
of a violation of this section.
C. Loudspeakers or amplifiers for advertising. The playing or permitting
to be played of any radio, television, 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, except when lawful permission
has been granted by the Township Council of the Township of Washington
or by some person acting under its authority.
D. Yelling, shouting, etc. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or
singing on the public streets, particularly between the hours of 11:00
p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or at any time or place so as to annoy or disturb
the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office or in any dwelling,
hotel or other type of residence or of any person 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 person in the vicinity.
F. Steam whistles. The blowing of any steam whistle attached to any
stationary boiler except to give notice of the time to begin or stop
work or as a warning of fire or danger or upon request of proper Township
authorities.
G. 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.
H. 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.
I. Construction or repairing of buildings. The erection (including excavating),
demolition, alteration or repair of any building or the excavation
of streets and highways other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m.
and sunset on weekdays, 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 sunset 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 sunset 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.
J. Hawkers and peddlers. The shouting and crying of peddlers, hawkers
and vendors which disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
K. Vehicular activity. Vehicular activity involving the loading or unloading
of trucks, the pickup or delivery of waste or recyclables and the
operation of street sweeping equipment shall be prohibited between
the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Such prohibition shall not apply
to newspaper deliveries or United States Post Office activities.
[Added 2-26-2001 by Ord.
No. 01-1]