[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Ocean View 10-1-1985 by Ord. No. 42. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Barking and howling of dogs — See Ch. 68, Art. II.
Disorderly assemblies — See Ch. 72.
Disorderly conduct — See Ch. 107.
Children playing games on streets or sidewalks at night — See Ch. 144.
It is found and declared as follows:
A. 
The making, creation, or continuance of loud, unnecessary, or unusual noises within the limits of the Town is a condition which has existed from time to time.
B. 
The making, creation, or continuance of such noises affect and are detrimental to the health, peace, safety, welfare and good order of the Town and its inhabitants.
C. 
The Town Council of Ocean View, as the municipal governing body of the Town, is vested with the following powers, to be exercised by it in the interest of the safety, health and welfare of the Town, its inhabitants and affairs, which is to say:
(1) 
To abate or remove nuisances of every kind and compel the owner or occupant of any lot, house, building or place wherein may be carried on any business or calling, any matter or thing which is or may be detrimental in the opinion of the Council to the health, safety, welfare and good order of the Town and its inhabitants.
It shall be unlawful, within the limits of the Town, for any person to make, create, or continue, or cause to be made, created, or continued, any loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace, safety, or welfare of the public within the limits of the Town.
While the same shall not be deemed to be exclusive, the following acts, among others, are declared to be loud, unnecessary, or unusual noises which are annoying, disturbing, or dangerous to the public comfort, repose, health, peace, safety, or welfare of the public within the limits of the Town, in violation of this chapter, namely;
A. 
The sounding of any horn, siren, whistle, bell, buzzer, or other signaling device within the limits of the Town, excepting as a warning of danger or as a call to worship, or the sounding of any such device for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time, or the use of any such device excepting one operated by hand or electricity, or the use of any such device operated by engine exhaust, or the use of any such device when traffic is for any reason held up; provided, however, that none of the provisions of this Subsection A shall apply to churches, police, fire departments, civil defense, ambulances, or other emergency units or use.
B. 
Using, operating, or playing, or causing to be used, operated, or played, any radio, television, phonograph, musical instrument, or other machine, instrument, or device for producing, reproducing, or amplifying sound in such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet, comfort, or health of the neighboring inhabitants, or so as to adversely affect the general welfare of such inhabitants, or in such a manner that the volume of the sound therefrom is louder than necessary for convenient hearing by the person or persons who are in the room, vehicle, or chamber in which such machine, instrument, or device is being operated and who are voluntary listeners thereto. The operation of any such machine, instrument, or device in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance greater than 25 feet from the building, structure, or vehicle in which it is located shall be prima facie evidence of the violation of this chapter.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $50 for each offense. In the event of a continuing violation of any of the provisions of this chapter by any person, each day or part of a day during which any such violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense under this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
PERSON
Includes any natural person, firm, copartnership, association, or corporation.
TOWN
The Town of Ocean View, in Sussex County, Delaware.