Disorderly conduct within the meaning of this chapter shall
constitute the making, causing or permitting to be made, anywhere in the Township
of Thornbury, of any unnecessary noise, clamor, din or other sounds tending
to disturb the peace and quiet of the community, and the carrying on of any
business, trade, transportation, recreation or amusement at a time, in a place
or in a manner which causes any unnecessary noise or disturbances. Any and
all such noises and disturbances are hereby prohibited. All noises or other
sounds shall be considered to be unnecessary and to constitute disorderly
conduct, even though they are no louder than is customary and are the unavoidable
sounds or noises attendant upon the ordinary use and occupation of premises,
or attendant upon the ordinary operation or performance of business, trade,
transportation, recreation or amusement, if they are made on Sunday or on
weekdays during hours other than the usual and customary hours for such work
or activity. Except in cases of emergency, no person shall carry on any activity
at a time or in a manner which causes unnecessary annoyance or disturbs the
peace and quiet of the immediate neighborhood.
Without in any manner intending to limit or restrict the generality
of the above definition of, and prohibition against, disorderly conduct, the
following are hereby declared to constitute disorderly conduct:
A. The unnecessary sounding of automobile horns, sirens,
bells, whistles or other warning devices. The operators of motor vehicles
shall at all times exercise due care and foresight in their operation and
shall not substitute the sounding or warnings for careful driving and the
maintenance of proper control over their respective vehicles. It is not intended
hereby to prohibit the use of such warning devices in emergencies or at times
when, in the exercise of good judgment, a prudent operator would use such
devices.
B. Operating a motorized vehicle (motor scooter, motor bike,
motorcycle, car, water pumps, ultra-light airplanes, dune buggies, etc.) in
such a manner that the noise produced thereby is unnecessary, is produced
during hours other than usual hours for such activity and disturbs the peace
and quiet of the community.
C. The operation of radios, loudspeakers or other mechanical
instruments, or singing, shouting or playing of musical instruments in a manner
and at a time which is generally considered to be inappropriate and which
unnecessarily disturbs the peace and quiet of the immediate neighborhood.
D. The loading, unloading and delivery of coal or other
materials, merchandise or commercial products at a time of the day or night
which unnecessarily disturbs the peace and quiet of the immediate neighborhood.
E. The discharging on or across the streets or highways
of air guns, spring guns, rifles or firearms of any kind or character whatsoever.
F. Loafing, loitering, lounging or congregating on the street
corners or in front of any place of business in the township.
G. Acting in and about the streets or other public places
of the township in a noisy, loud, boisterous and unseemly manner, or in such
a manner as to disturb the peace and quiet of the community.
H. Acting in and about the streets or other public places
of the township while visibly under the influence of intoxicating liquor or
otherwise acting or conducting oneself so as to present an unruly, immoral
or improper appearance.
I. The uttering in a loud or audible fashion upon the streets
or in other public places of vulgar, profane, immoral or abusive language.
J. The carrying on of construction activities by any person,
firm or corporation, or their agents and employees, upon any land or building
within Thornbury Township, including the operation or the permitting of the
operation of any of machinery, appliance, equipment or power or hand tool
which emits noise beyond the boundaries of the property upon which such machinery,
appliance, equipment or power or hand tool is being operated or used, between
the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. weekdays, before 8:00 a.m. and after
8:00 p.m. Saturdays or on any Sunday or legal holiday. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Township Manager shall be authorized to issue permits for emergency
construction and repair activities upon the submission of sufficient proof
of the existence of an emergency which justifies the violation of the terms
hereof.
[Added 8-5-1997 by Ord. No. 1997-6]
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter shall,
upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a District Justice
under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary
offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus costs
of prosecution. Each day or portion thereof that such violation continues
or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense, and each
section of this chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate
offense.