Wallace passes noise ordinance

WALLACE — The Wallace City Council recently passed a noise ordinance aimed at keeping things a little quieter.

The new ordinance was a revised version after the original draft ordinance had been heavily scrutinized by locals concerned by how it could affect businesses in the commercial district.

The revised ordinance, which passed by a 5-1 vote last week, contained several amendments that made it much friendlier to the commercial district.

Within the ordinance, unwanted noise is defined as “Any sound or vibration which: May disturb or annoy reasonable persons of normal sensitivities; or causes or tends to cause, an adverse effect on the public health and welfare.”

These sounds cannot exceed 84 decibels when measured at either the property line of the complaining party or 100 feet from the origin of the sound — whichever is farther.

This includes plainly audible sounds (understandable speech, repetitive bass, or music), sound reproduction devices (stereos, radios, instruments, televisions or other amplification devices), vehicle horns or signaling devices, construction activities, animals, car mufflers and compression brakes.

These rules will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11:59 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

A key addition to the ordinance was the exemption of certain districts within the city, including the city’s light manufacturing, commercial and business districts.

Under the new amendment, these districts may produce noise above the previously noted decibel levels if the noise is considered “usual and customary to the type or manner of business engaged in.” 

The city also amended the penalties for violating the new ordinance. 

Previously, first-time violators would be fined $300, and any subsequent violation would be treated as a misdemeanor, up to $1,000 in fines, or six months in county jail.

Under the amended ordinance, people will now receive a warning that they are in violation of the ordinance. If they fail to comply, the penalties will apply.

The city included a few other exemptions to the ordinance, among them being snow removal, alarm systems, deliveries to commercial businesses, and noises stemming from holiday celebrations Jan. 1, July 4, and Dec. 24, 25 and 31.