Excessive and unusually loud noises in violation of Section 648.09 include, but are not limited to the following:
(a) Animals, Birds, Miscellaneous Pets. The keeping of any animal or bird which by causing frequent or long continued noise shall disturb the comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity;
(b) Blowers. The operation of any noise-creating blower or power fan, unless such blower or fan is muffled sufficiently to prevent loud noises therefrom;
(c) Construction, Repairing of Buildings. The erection (including excavation), 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 in writing from the Building Inspector, which permit may be granted for a period not to exceed three days or less while the emergency continues, and which permit may be renewed for periods of three days or less while the emergency continues. If the Building Inspector determines that the public peace and quiet, health and safety will not be impaired by the excavation, erection, demolition, alteration or repair of any building or lot or sidewalk between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and if he or she shall further determine that loss or inconvenience would otherwise result to any party requesting, he or she may grant permission for such work to be done between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or certain hours incorporated therein, upon application being made at the time the permit for the work is awarded or during the progress of the work. If the City Council shall, by resolution, determine that unusual circumstances, including, but not limited to, the aftermath of a severe storm, exist throughout the City which circumstances necessitate a large volume of construction or repair work throughout a large portion of the City, the City Council may declare that, notwithstanding provisions of this section, the erection, demolition, alteration or repair of buildings and sidewalks may occur between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., during any of the week and the period of time stipulated by the City Council in the resolution.
(d) Defect in Vehicles; Load. The operation of any motor vehicle, motorcycle, or other vehicle so out of repair or so loaded or in such manner as to create loud and unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise.
(e) Exhausts. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any motor vehicle, motorcycle, tractor, steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine or motorboat, except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom. The muffler of a motor vehicle or motorcycle shall be of a type that will muffle noise not less effectively than the standard muffler with which a vehicle of that type originally was equipped by the manufacturer of the vehicle, shall not be of a design that permits operation in a manner allowing greater noise, and shall be kept in good repair.
(f) Horns; Signaling, Other Devices. The sounding of any horn or signaling device on any motor vehicle, motorcycle or other vehicle on any street or public place of the City, except as a danger warning and except when authorized by the Chief of Police for public celebrations, the use of any horn, whistle or other device operated by engine exhaust; and the use of any such signaling device by which traffic is for any reason held up.
(g) Pile Drivers, Hammers, Equipment. The operation between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of any pile driver, steam shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick, steam or electric hoist or other appliance, the use of which is attended by loud or unusual noise, except with the written permission of the Building Inspector if the Building Inspector determines that the public peace and quiet, health and safety will not be impaired and that loss or inconvenience would result to the requesting party. The permitted hours of operation are to be stated in the permit.
(h) Quiet Zones. The creation of an excessive noise within any quiet zone established by the City Council which unreasonably interferes with the use of the premises or disturbs or unduly annoys occupants or users of the premises for the benefit of whom the quiet zone has been established.
(i) Shouting, Hallooing. Shouting or loud hallooing which unreasonably interferes with the peace, quiet, comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity.
(j) Sound Reproduction. The use or operation of any radio or other mechanical or electrical devices or instruments amplifying and reproducing the human voice, or any sound or noise, in any public or private place, or from any vehicle, in such manner that the peace and quiet of the neighborhood are disturbed, or that persons owning, using or occupying property in the neighborhood are disturbed or annoyed, provided that the Chief of Police may allow same as specified elsewhere in this Municipal Code. Provided further that the City Council may grant permission for the erection and use of temporary speakers, and other mechanical or electrical devices amplifying and reproducing the human voice, or instruments or other sound or noise at a fixed location, or on moving vehicles. Provided, however, such reproduction and amplification, as part of a celebration or commemoration of a patriotic or historic event, or national or state holiday, or local celebration, at gatherings of a public nature are specifically exempted and provided, further, the City Council, in granting any such permission, shall expressly designate the time such permission shall continue.
(k) Steam Whistles. The blowing of any locomotive steam whistle or 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 City authorities.
(l) Engine Brakes. The use of engine brakes on any vehicle within the City.
(Ord. 1575. Passed 10-24-06.)