[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Board of the Township of Egelston as Ch. 22, Art. V, Div. 2; amended in its entirety 2-6-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-1. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 6-3-2024]
No person may make or cause to be made any unreasonably loud or unnecessary noise that would disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of a reasonable person in the vicinity. A violation of this chapter is a public nuisance per se.
[Amended 6-3-2024]
The following non-exhaustive list of acts or occurrences are declared to be unlawful noises in violation of this chapter and are public nuisances per se if they would disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of a reasonable person in the vicinity:
A. 
Music instruments or sound amplification devices, including speakers, stereos, recorded music or live bands, if the volume is louder than what is reasonably necessary for people in the building, venue, or vehicle to conveniently hear the sound.
B. 
Shouting, whistling, hooting, yelling, or making other loud noises on the public streets, sidewalks, bike pathways, or other public spaces in the Township.
C. 
Operating a motor vehicle, motorized bicycle, or machine in a manner that creates excessive noise, including unnecessary motor sounds, squealing tires, grating, or grinding noises.
D. 
Any animal that makes noises (including barking) for a continued duration in a manner that disturbs the quiet, comfort, or repose of a reasonable person located on a different parcel than the animal.
E. 
Operating or permitting the operation of construction, excavation, demolition, or similar equipment or machinery between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
If a noise enumerated above occurs between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the building, venue, or vehicle from which it emanates, it is prima facie evidence of a violation of this chapter.
A. 
The provisions of this chapter do not apply to:
(1) 
Emergency work. The emission of sound for the purpose of alerting persons to the existence of an emergency or the emission of sound in the performance of emergency work.
(2) 
Agricultural or related seasonal work. Agricultural or related seasonal-type or work that is of a timely nature, such as crop planting, tending crops and harvesting crops or timbering.
(3) 
Existing industrial land uses. Customary sounds from existing industrial land uses that are lawfully operating in the Township.
(4) 
Lawful firearm use. Noise from a discharge of a firearm that is authorized under state or federal law.
(5) 
Mandated noise. Noise mandated by law or regulation, including testing of school buses and equipment.
B. 
The Township Board may grant a variance under this article to permit noises of a kind or during hours otherwise prohibited, after notice and hearing, upon a showing that compliance with this chapter would constitute an unreasonable hardship on the applicant, on the community, or on other persons.
A violation of this chapter constitutes a civil infraction. The Township also may take any other action permitted at law or equity, including seeking injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction.