[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Town
of Bridgeville 4-10-2017 by Ord.
No. 17-2. Amendments noted where applicable.]
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms used herein are
defined as follows:
Any individual, firm, association, corporation, limited-liability
company or other artificial entity, whether such person is the owner,
lessee or character, its servants, agents or employees.
Any radio device or apparatus or any device or apparatus
for the amplification of sounds from any radio, phonograph, disc player,
electronic device, or other sound-making or sound-producing device,
or any device or apparatus for the reproduction or amplification of
the human voice or other sounds.
To use or operate or cause to be used or operated any sound
device or apparatus in front of or outside of any building, place
or premises or in or through any window, doorway or opening of such
building, place or premises, abutting on or adjacent to any public
street, park or place, or in or upon any public street, park or place,
where the sounds therefrom may be heard upon any public street, park
or place, or from any stand, platform or other structure or from any
airplane or other device used for flying, flying over the Town, or
anywhere on or in the public street, parks or places.
Bridgeville, Sussex County, Delaware.
That which is not required by the usual circumstances.
The normal noise range for a particular type of vehicle or
mechanism.
The following acts, among others, by any person are declared
to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises, especially between
the normal sleeping hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., in violation
of this chapter, but any enumeration herein shall not be deemed to
be exclusive:
A.
The operation of any sound device, radio apparatus, loudspeaker or
amplifier attached thereto, or other device, radio, television, or
phonograph or the use of any musical instrument in such a manner or
with such volume as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose
of persons in any dwelling, hotel, motel or other type of residence.
B.
The keeping of any animal, bird, or household pet which, by causing
frequent or long-continued noise, shall disturb the comfort and repose
of any person in the vicinity.
C.
The creation of a loud and excessive noise in connection with the
loading or unloading of any vehicle or container or the opening and
the destruction of bales, boxes, crates and containers.
D.
The shouting and crying of peddlers, hawkers, vendors and persons
which disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
E.
The use of any drum, loudspeakers or other instrument or device for
the purpose of attracting attention to any sale or display of merchandise
by the creation of noise.
F.
The sounding of any horn or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle,
bus, streetcar or other vehicle, except as a warning signal pursuant
to provisions of law.
G.
The use of any sound device, radio apparatus, loudspeaker or amplifier
attached thereto, or other device, in such a manner that the device
shall cause the sound from such sound device to be projected directly
therefrom outside of any building or out of doors, or the use of any
sound device, radio or television apparatus, loudspeaker or amplifier
attached thereto, or other device, which is in any way fastened to
or connected with any outside wall or window in any building or structure
so that the sound therefrom is projected outside of such outside wall
or window. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent
the operation of a sound device, radio or television apparatus, loudspeaker
or amplifier attached thereto, or other device, used in a reasonable
manner by any person within any building or structure, provided that
said sound device, radio or television apparatus, loudspeaker or amplifier
attached thereto, or other device, is not so arranged that such loudspeaker
shall project the sound therefrom directly outside of any building
or out of doors.
H.
The operation of any machinery, equipment, pump, fan, exhaust fan,
attic fan, air-conditioner apparatus or similar mechanical device
in such a manner as to create any unreasonable and unnecessary noise
which shall disturb the comfort and repose of any person in the vicinity.
I.
The use and operation of sound devices and apparatus for commercial
or business advertising purposes are prohibited. It shall be unlawful
for any person to use or operate or cause to be used or operated any
sound device or apparatus in, on, near or adjacent to any public street,
park or place for commercial or business advertising purposes.
J.
The keeping of any dog, which, by frequent, habitual or long-continued
barking, whining or howling, disturbs any person or neighborhood;
provided, however, that in order to constitute a violation hereunder,
the person(s) keeping such dog shall have failed to remedy the nuisance
after a warning notice from the Code Enforcement Officer given within
the 30 days previous to the violation charged.
The following activities shall be exempt from this chapter:
A.
Safety signals: noise of safety signals and warning devices.
B.
Authorized emergency vehicles: noises resulting from any authorized
vehicle, when responding to an emergency.
C.
Municipal services: noises resulting from the provision of municipal
services (e.g., trash collection).
D.
Public improvements and public utility construction and repair: noise
resulting from the construction or repair activities of, or equipment
operated by or on the authority of, the Town or the State of Delaware
or any department or agency thereof or by any public utility company,
when engaged in construction, repair, or installation of public improvements
and public utility service.
E.
Temporary activities: any noise resulting from activities of a temporary
duration permitted by law or for which a waiver or permit has been
granted by the Town or the state.
F.
Certain unamplified human voices: the unamplified human voice and
unamplified crowd noise resulting from activities such as those planned
by day-care centers, schools, government and community groups.
G.
Parades: parades and public gatherings for which the Town has issued
a waiver or permit.
H.
Religious chimes, bells, carillons: bells, chimes and carillons being
used for religious purposes or in conjunction with religious services
or for national celebrations or public holidays.
I.
Sponsored events: noise resulting from Town-sponsored events in public
parks or public places, including any performance.
J.
Lawn maintenance equipment: noise resulting from the operation of
lawn maintenance equipment, except between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.,
so long as such equipment is functioning within manufacturers'
specifications with all mufflers and noise-reducing equipment in use
and in proper operating condition.
K.
Noise resulting from the operation of agricultural, horticultural,
or foresting activities.
Factors for determining whether a sound is unreasonably loud
and raucous include, but are not limited to, the following:
A.
The proximity of the sound to sleeping facilities, whether residential
or commercial.
B.
The land use, nature, and zoning of the area from which the sound
emanates and the area where it is received or perceived.
C.
The time of day or night the sound occurs.
D.
The duration of the sound.
E.
Whether the sound is recurrent, intermittent, or constant.
