The following acts are declared to be loud, disturbing, objectionable and unnecessary noises in violation of this subchapter, but shall not be deemed to be exclusive:
(A) Horns, signaling devices. The sounding of any horn or signaling device on any automobile, motorcycle, street car, or other vehicle on any street or public place of the city except as a danger warning, the creation by means of any such signaling device of any unreasonable loud or harsh sound, the sounding of any such device for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time, the use of any signaling device except one operated by hand or electricity, the use of any horn, whistle or other device operated by engine exhaust, and the use of any such signaling device when traffic is for any reason held up. This subsection does not apply to trains or locomotives.
(B) Radios, phonographs. The using, operating, or permitting to be played, used, or operated of any radio receiving set, television, musical instrument, phonograph or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound in such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet, and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants or at any time with louder volume than is necessary for convenient hearing for the person or persons who are in the room, vehicle, or chamber in which such machine or device is operated and who are voluntary listeners thereto. The operation of any such set, instrument, phonograph, machine, or device between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 am. in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of fifty (50) feet from building structure or vehicle in which it is located shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
(C) Loud speakers, amplifiers for advertising. The using, operating, or permitting to be played, used, or operated of any radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker, sound amplifier, or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound which is cast upon the public streets for the purpose of commercial advertising or attracting the attention of the public to any vehicle, building or structure.
(D) Yelling, shouting. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, or singing on the public streets, particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or at any time or place so as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of any person in any office, dwelling, hotel, or other type of residence, or of any persons in the vicinity.
(E) Animals, birds. The keeping of any animal or bird which by causing frequent, repeated or long continued noise shall disturb the comfort or repose of any persons in the vicinity.
(F) Steam whistles. The blowing of any locomotive steam whistle, except when permitted by the city’s traffic regulations, or the blowing of any steam whistle attached to any stationary boiler except to give notice of the time to begin or stop work or as a warning of fire or danger, or upon request of proper city authorities.
(G) Exhausts. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, motor boat, or motor vehicle except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.
(H) Motor vehicles. The use of any automobile, truck, motorcycle, railroad train, or vehicle so out of repair, so loaded, or the use of braking or other mechanical devices in such manner as to create loud and objectionable grating, piercing, grinding, rattling, or other noise; unless such is created to avoid an emergency not caused by the operator thereof.
(I) Loading, unloading, opening boxes. The creation of a loud and excessive noise in connection with loading or unloading any vehicle or the opening or destruction of bales, boxes, creates, and containers.
(J) Construction or repairing of buildings. The erection (including excavating), demolition, alteration, or repair of any building other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m, except in case of urgent necessity in the interest of public health and safety, and then only with a permit from the Building Inspector of the city, which permit may be granted for a period not to exceed three (3) days or less while the emergency continues and which permit may be renewed for periods of three (3) days or less while the emergency continues. If the Building Inspector should determine that the public health and safety will not be impaired by the erection, demolition, alteration, or repair of any building or the excavation of streets and highways within the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and if he shall further determine that loss or inconvenience would result to any party in interest, he may grant permission for such work to be done within the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., upon application being made at the time the permit for the work is awarded or during the progress of the work.
(K) Schools, courts, churches, hospitals. The creation of any excessive noise on any street adjacent to any school, institution of learning, church, or court while such place is in use, or adjacent to any hospital, which unreasonably interferes with the workings of such institution, or which disturbs or unduly annoys patients in the hospital, provided conspicuous signs are displayed in such streets indicating that the same is a school, hospital, or court street.
(L) Hawkers, peddlers. The shouting and crying of peddlers, hawkers, and vendors which disturbs the peace and quite of the neighborhood.
(Ord. 24-95, passed 12-7-95; Am. Ord. 2022-08, passed 8-18-22) Penalty, see § 92.99