[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Fenwick Island 3-26-2010.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former Ch. 107, Noise, adopted 10-28-1994 by Ord. No. 75, as amended.
[Amended 2-28-2025]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AIRCRAFT
Vehicles or devices that are used to travel in air above the surface of the earth and include any devices attached, suspended or towed. Also included are remote-controlled aircraft.
DECIBEL (dB)
A standard unit for measuring the sound pressure level as measured by any reliable application and/or meter that is designed to measure decibel levels.
MOTORBOAT
Any vessel that operates on water and is propelled by machinery, including but not limited to powerboats, motorboats and personal watercraft (PWC).
MOTOR VEHICLES
Vehicles self-propelled or drawn by any mechanical equipment which are capable of emitting noise.
NOISE DISTURBANCE
Any sound which endangers or injures the safety or health of humans or animals, annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, or jeopardizes the value of property and erodes the integrity of the environment.
PASSES OF MOTOR BOATS OR AIRCRAFT IN PROXIMITY TO FENWICK ISLAND, DE (the Town)
This term means the driving or piloting of such vehicles through, over or outside of the Town or Town-patrolled beach properties, but close enough so that sounds emanating from such vehicles can be heard by people in the Town or on its patrolled beaches. A pass can be from one end of the Town to the other end or a portion thereof.
PERSON
Includes firms, companies, corporations, partnerships, associations or any organization entity as well as individuals.
SOUND DEVICE
Any device for the amplification of sounds, including, but not limited to, speakers or electronically enhanced sounds.
TOWN-PATROLLED BEACH
The sandy beach area east of the eastern boundary of private and public property to the ocean water and the portion of ocean normally used by swimmers. (The areas observed and patrolled by Fenwick beach guards, as provided by the State of Delaware.)
[Amended 2-28-2025]
In addition to any noise that would annoy or disturb a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, including as determined by a police officer, the following acts by any person are declared to create an illegal noise disturbance, but any enumeration herein shall not be deemed to be exclusive:
A. 
Playing any radio, phonograph, tape deck, speakers, sound device or musical instrument in such a manner or at such a volume, particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of any person in any other dwelling unit, apartment or commercial lodging room.
B. 
The blowing of any horn, whistle or signal device, except as a danger signal, for an unreasonable and unnecessary period of time.
C. 
Yelling, shouting or singing at such volume as to be plainly and disturbingly audible to the human ear outside the premises.
D. 
The use of any amplified sound device out-of-doors:
(1) 
Without a permit from the Town; or
(2) 
Regardless of any permit, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. the following morning.
E. 
Unless otherwise permitted in this chapter, any sound exceeding either (1) 65 decibels between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; or (2) 55 decibels between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., in each case as measured by a police officer in two successive readings using any reliable application and/or meter that is designed to measure decibel levels at any property line of the property on which the noise source is located.
A. 
No person shall cause, suffer or allow or permit the removal, disconnection or disabling of any noise suppression device or system which has been installed on any noise source pursuant to any of the following:
(1) 
Any federal or state law or regulation.
(2) 
As a requirement for obtaining a permit to construct, modify or install such noise source.
B. 
No person shall defeat the designed purpose of any noise suppression system or device by installing any part or component which does not meet the minimum designed specifications for that system or device.
C. 
This section does not apply to licensed motor vehicles, motorboats or aircraft used exclusively for emergency purposes.
A. 
Any motorboat or aircraft that makes a pass or passes in proximity to the Town will be in violation of this chapter if any single pass causes a noise disturbance.
B. 
Music or other sounds made by a radio, tape player, CD player or other such electronic device in or on a motor vehicle is a noise disturbance if heard by a person 25 feet or more from the motor vehicle.
Such equipment will be in violation of this chapter only when not functioning in accordance with manufacturing specifications and when not in proper working order. Any complaints of the sound emanating from a fixed external mechanical equipment shall be accompanied by documentation supplied by an independent certified source.
[Amended 2-28-2025]
Exempted from these regulations are:
A. 
Recreational, sports and musical activities: noise created by the use of property for the purpose of recreational, sports or musical activities, provided that such exemption is authorized by the Town prior to the activity requested.
B. 
Emergencies: noise created as a result of or related to an emergency, including the emission of sound for the purpose of alerting persons to the existence of an emergency and the emission of sound in the performance of emergency work.
C. 
Public celebrations. Patriotic or public celebrations as authorized by the Town or other government entity empowered to sanction such activity.
D. 
Productive activities; activities for residential use or for the health, safety and welfare of the community. Unavoidable noises created by activities such as personal home repairs or construction, gardening, grass cutting, power cleaning and aerial pesticide spraying are permitted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., provided that reasonable efforts are made to minimize such noise and the activities do not violate any Town ordinances or state or federal laws.
E. 
Special exemptions may be granted by the Town prior to the activity requested.
F. 
With regard to a violation under § 107-2E of this chapter, where the police officer measuring decibel levels determines, in his or her judgment, that the measured decibel levels would not annoy or disturb a reasonable person of normal sensitivities.
[Amended 2-28-2025; 2-28-2025]
A. 
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of $200. Each day that a person continues to violate the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to be a separate fine.
B. 
In addition to the criminal penalties hereinbefore described, if any person violates any provision of this chapter and/or commits noise disturbance and/or causes or allows noise in prohibited levels to emanate from a source property under his/her ownership or control, the Town may institute an action for injunctive relief against such person to prohibit or prevent such violation.
C. 
In the case of a single-family residential property subject to a rental license, oral and written notice of each such violation shall be given to the recorded license holder and his/her realtor within five business days. The license may be revoked if there have been three oral and written notices during a calendar year of a violation of this chapter of the Code. Such license revocation may be immediate or deferred to the entire rental season for the following year, or both. In the event of a third violation, the matter shall be referred to the Town Council for consideration of implementation of penalty, including, but not limited to, revocation of license. Town Council, upon referral, shall schedule a special meeting of Town Council for consideration of the violation and appropriate penalty.
D. 
In the case of a commercial property subject to a business license, oral and written notice of each such violation shall be given to the recorded license holder. The business license may be revoked if there have been three oral and written notices during a calendar year of a violation of this chapter of the Code. In the event of a third violation, the matter shall be referred to the Town Council for consideration of implementation of penalty, including, but not limited to, revocation of license. Town Council, upon referral, shall schedule a special meeting of Town Council for consideration of the violation and appropriate penalty.
E. 
In addition, The Town Council may institute appropriate proceedings to restrain or enjoin further construction in violation of the chapter and/or proceedings to abate any violation, and to require the removal of the violation. In this event, the Town Council shall be entitled to collect from the offending party or parties the Town's reasonable attorneys fees, legal costs and expenses and court costs, as a part of any judgment or award in a civil action brought to restrain or enjoin a violation. Civil remedies are in addition to and not in lieu of the penalties provided herein.
F. 
Any violation or failure to comply with any requirement of this chapter shall constitute a civil offense pursuant to Chapter 75 of the Code of the Town of Fenwick Island. Any person who violates or fails to comply with this chapter shall pay a civil fine in the amount of $250 for the first violation and $500 for each subsequent violation. Each day that a violation is not cured shall automatically constitute a distinct and subsequent violation, regardless of whether the Town issues a subsequent citation for such a subsequent violation.