The Borough Council of the Borough of Crafton, Pennsylvania,
hereby finds and declares that:
A. The making and creation of loud, unnecessary or unusual noises within
the limits of the Borough of Crafton is a condition which has existed
for some time, and the extent and volume of such noise is increasing.
B. The making, creating or maintenance of such loud, unnecessary, unnatural
or unusual noises which are prolonged, unusual or unnatural in their
time, place and use affect and are detrimental to public health.
C. 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 Borough of Crafton and its inhabitants.
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 Borough.
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; namely:
A. Horns, signaling devices, etc. The sounding of any horn or signaling
device on any motor vehicle, motorcycle, locomotive or other means
of conveyance within the limits of the Borough, except as a danger
warning; the creation by means of such signaling device of any unreasonably
loud or harsh sound; 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 by electricity; the use of any horn, whistle
or other device operated by engine exhaust; and the use of any signaling
device when traffic is for any reason held up.
B. Racing motors. The unnecessary or unnatural acceleration, deceleration
or racing of a motor in a motor vehicle, whether in motion or at rest,
within the limits of said Borough.
C. Exhausts. The discharge upon the open air of the exhaust of any steam
or diesel locomotive, stationary internal combustion engine, motor
boat or motor vehicle, except through a muffler or other device which
will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.
D. Defect in vehicle or use of loud vehicle. The use of any motor vehicle,
motorcycle or other piece of machinery or equipment so out of repair,
loaded or defective in such a manner as to create loud and unnecessary
grating, grinding, rattling or other noise.
E. Radios, phonographs, etc. The using, operating, playing, or permitting
to be played, used or operated any radio receiving sets, musical instruments,
sound amplifiers, phonographs, speakers, or other machines or devices
for the production or reproduction of sound in such a manner as to
disturb the peace, quiet, comfort and repose of the neighboring inhabitants
at any time with a louder volume than is necessary for convenient
hearing for the person or persons who are voluntary listeners thereto.
The operation of any such set instrument, phonograph, machine, speaker
or device in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance
of 50 feet from the building, structure, or vehicle in which it is
located shall be a violation of this section.
F. 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.
G. 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 school, church or office,
or in any dwelling, hotel or other type of residence, or of any persons
in the vicinity.
H. 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.
I. Loading, unloading, opening boxes. The creating of a loud and excessive
noise in connection with loading or unloading any vehicle or the opening
and destruction of bales, boxes, crates and other containers.
J. Construction or repair of buildings, lands and streets. The construction,
erection (including excavating), demolition, alteration, removal,
replacement or repair of any streets, highways, lands, parking areas,
or buildings shall be permitted within the Borough only between the
hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and on
Sunday only between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Such activities
may be engaged in at other hours if necessitated by concerns for public
health and safety and then only with a permit issued by the Borough
or its designee, which permit shall be granted for a period not to
exceed three days or less while the emergency continues, and the permit
may be renewed for periods of three days or less while the emergency
continues. In order to grant such a permit, the Borough or its designee
must determine that the public health and safety will not be impaired
by the granting of the permit.
K. Hawkers, peddlers. The shouting or crying of peddlers, hawkers, buyers
or vendors which disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
L. Railway, operation thereof. The causing, permitting or continuing
any excessive unnecessary and avoidable noise in the operation of
any railway locomotive or railway car or train of cars.
M. Amplified noises. To create or cause to be created amplified noise
that can be heard by persons of normal hearing acuity within 50 feet
of any boundary of the property on which the noise is originating.
Amplified noise shall be considered any sound increased in volume
by electronic means so as to be discernible more than 50 feet from
the edge of the property on which the electronic amplification is
located.
Nothing in this chapter shall permit or make unlawful the natural
and unusual noises associated with athletic events, parades, or other
such affairs open to the public, or affairs by which a permit has
been issued by the Borough to use public streets and/or property.