[Ord. 585, 7/27/2016]
The creation of any sound or noise within the Township of Northampton is hereby prohibited and shall constitute unlawful conduct when the character, intensity and/or duration of such sound or noise annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities. Aiding and abetting in the creation of any such noise, or suffering or permitting any such noise to continue, is also hereby prohibited and shall constitute unlawful conduct.
[Ord. 585, 7/27/2016]
1. 
Prohibited noises, within the meaning of this Part, include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. 
Using a horn or other warning device, other than as a reasonable warning.
B. 
The playing of any radio, music, speaker, or any musical instrument in such a manner or with such volume as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of others in the vicinity.
C. 
The amplification of any sound, including, but not limited to, music, voice or radio, to the point where the sound annoys or disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of others in the vicinity.
D. 
Yelling, shouting, or other audible disturbances in or on the public streets or sidewalks so as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of a person or persons in the vicinity or within any nursing home, personal care center, residential dwelling, or retail space.
E. 
The creation of noise on any street or area adjacent to any school, institution of learning, religious institution or court, while the same are in session, which unreasonably interferes with the workings of sessions therein, or the making of any noise that disturbs or annoys the quiet, comfort or repose of those within such places or buildings.
F. 
Excessive running or idling of an engine of a motor vehicle parked within 300 feet of a residential zone or district. This shall not include warming up or cooling vehicles.
G. 
Repairing, rebuilding, modifying, testing or operating a motor vehicle, motor-cycle, or other recreational vehicle, including ATVs and dirt bikes in such a manner as to cause annoyance or disturbance to persons across a real property boundary from the noise source.
H. 
Performing any construction operation, or operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, demolition, excavating, lawn maintenance, landscaping or other such activities between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Sundays.
I. 
Commercial trash pick-up and/or plastic recycling before 6:00 a.m.
J. 
Any other noise not enumerated above that is an unlawful noise as defined herein.
[Ord. 585, 7/27/2016]
1. 
None of the terms or prohibitions hereof shall apply to or be enforced against:
A. 
Any vehicle or personnel of the Township of Northampton, or any agency having jurisdiction, while engaged upon necessary public business or vehicles responding to an emergency call or acting in the time of emergency.
B. 
Parades or events with band music by civic organizations, religious institutions, or schools as approved by Northampton Township. This shall include sporting events and associated activities on any Northampton Township or Council Rock School District field.
C. 
Fireworks exhibits held under permit by Northampton Township.
D. 
Vehicles, machinery, appliances and equipment or hand tools used in conjunction with agricultural and gardening activities.
E. 
Bells and chimes used for religious purposes or in conjunction with national celebrations or public holidays.
F. 
Appliances, lawn and garden equipment, chainsaws, and power tools used between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday of each week and 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Sunday of each week; provided, however, that they are operated within the manufacturer's specifications and with all standard noise-reducing equipment in use, unmodified, and in proper operating condition.
G. 
Construction equipment when being used on a specific short-term or temporary project (such as construction of a building, drilling a well, demolition, repair, and similar projects) between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday of each week and 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Sunday of each week, for the duration of such short-term or temporary project; provided, however, that such construction equipment is operated within the manufacturer's specifications and with all standard noise-reducing equipment in use, unmodified, and in proper operating condition.
H. 
Air conditioners, fans, heating units and similar comfort devices, designed and used solely for individual single-family dwelling units, provided such are operated within the manufacturer's specifications and with all standard noise-reducing equipment in use, unmodified, and in proper operating condition.
I. 
Emergency generators when used in a power outage or emergency situations for the duration of the event; provided, such are operated within the manufacturer's specifications and with all standard noise-reducing equipment in use, unmodified, and in proper operating condition.
J. 
Testing of emergency generators in accordance with manufacturer's specifications for a short duration between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
K. 
Commercial trash pick-up and/or plastic recycling after 6:00 a.m.
L. 
Snow removal activities in order to clear private or public property.
[Ord. 585, 7/27/2016]
1. 
Applications for a permit for relief from the noise level in this Part on the basis of undue hardship may be made to the Zoning Director. Any permit granted by the Zoning Director hereunder shall contain all conditions upon which said permit has been granted and shall specify a reasonable time that the permit shall be effective. The Zoning Director may grant the relief as applied if it is found that:
A. 
Additional time is necessary for the applicant to alter or modify his or her activity or operation to comply with this Part.
B. 
The activity, operation, or noise source will be of temporary duration and cannot be done in a manner that would comply with other subsections of this Part.
C. 
No other reasonable alternative is available to the applicant.
D. 
The Zoning Director may prescribe any conditions or requirements deemed necessary to minimize adverse effects upon the community of the surrounding neighborhood.
[Ord. 585, 7/27/2016]
1. 
The provisions of this section are designed to protect the public health, comfort, convenience, safety, welfare, peace and quiet of the residents of Northampton Township by regulating the use of motorized dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) within the Township. In addition, the provisions are designed to alleviate problems, such as, but not limited to, loud, unnecessary, and unusual noises within the Township, damage and destruction of property, unauthorized use of land, disturbances through the creation of unnecessary dust and debris, and other inconveniences caused by said motorized dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles to the residents of Northampton Township. All types of motorized go-karts shall be included and any other similar vehicle as deemed by the Northampton Township Police Department and Code Enforcement Officer.
A. 
The riding area shall not be located closer than 50 feet from any property line. Jumps or obstacles shall be located a minimum of 150 feet from any property line.
B. 
Dust and noise control measures are to be maintained by the lot owner, including watering the site if necessary.
C. 
No more than two riders that are unrelated to the immediate household members that reside in the dwelling on the lot are permitted.
D. 
Operation may only be on the lots during the following times: Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to dusk, Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to dusk, and Sundays, 12:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. Operation may be continuous for two hours. After two hours, riding on the lot shall cease for one hour.
E. 
Riding is not permitted in any wetland or floodplain area.
F. 
Riding shall not be permitted on any sidewalks or within the right-of-way of any public or private street being maintained or used as a thoroughfare for legally licensed vehicular traffic, unless the operator has a valid operator's license and the motorized vehicle or ATV is properly registered and licensed within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a motor vehicle.
G. 
Any jumps, ramps, and/or obstacles shall be in accordance with all Township regulations, including, but not limited to, zoning and building permits, grading, and stormwater management requirements. Requirements of any other agency having jurisdiction are also required, if applicable.
[Ord. 585, 7/27/2016]
None of the terms or prohibitions hereof shall apply to or be enforced against any motorized dirt bike(s) and/or ATV(s) used by the Township or any other governmental body in conducting official business, used in snow clearing, or used in agricultural or gardening work.
[Ord. 585, 7/27/2016]
1. 
In the event of a violation of this Part, any police officer of the Township of Northampton may present to the maker or creator of the noise, or the owner, tenant, occupant, firm or corporation where the noise originated, a notice indicating the nature of the offense and bearing the statement that no prosecution shall be instituted for 48 hours hereafter if, during said forty-eight-hour period, the offender shall voluntarily appear at the office of the Police Department of the Township of Northampton, 50 Township Road, Richboro, Pennsylvania, 18954, and voluntarily enter a plea of guilty and pay a penalty of $50 for the first offense, $75 for the second offense, and $100 for the third or subsequent offense to the Township. In the event such persons fail to comply with such notice, the offense will thereafter be prosecuted and the penalty collected in a manner prescribed by existing laws.
2. 
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a magisterial district judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each section of this Part which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense.