By Bonnie Culverhouse

Minden City Council has adopted an ordinance that will amend one for amplified and nuisance noises.Section 38-2. – Amplified Noises, Nuisance Noises.

Mayor Nick Cox said the current ordinance under which police work is out of date.

“It addresses boom boxes, which are not really a problem any more,” Cox said. “It also says ‘phonographs, record players’ … things that are obsolete.”

The ordinance, he added, should give the police a way to scientifically test sound levels and more “teeth” to control the problem.

Ordinance:

(a) Definition. Sound-Amplifying Equipment means any machine or device for the amplification of the human voice, music, or any other sound. It includes, but is not limited to, interior or exterior speakers, loudspeakers, public address systems, amplification equipment, radios, stereos, electronic devices, microphones, audio or visual equipment, sound equipment, television sets, bullhorns, or other sound producing devices.

(b) Prohibited amplified noises. No person or entity shall cause, allow, assist in making, permit, or continue the operation of any source of sound emanating from sound-amplifying equipment which exceeds the sound levels listed in section (c).

(c) Maximum sound levels. The following maximum sound levels shall be measured at the property line of the sound-receiving property (or nearest practicable receiving-side location) at the point closest to the source.

Residential and commercial property: 80 dBA 7 a.m. – 10 p.m., 60 dBA 10:01 p.m. – 6:59 a.m.

Industrial property: Excluded as source or receiver.

(d) Prohibited amplified noises from vehicles. La R.S. 14:103.1, “Emanation of excessive sound or noise; exceptions; penalties”, making it illegal to operate a sound amplification system in or on a motor vehicle on a public street, highway, or public park if the sound or noise emanating from the sound amplification system is audible at a distance of greater than 25 feet which exceeds 85 dBA, as the statute may be amended from time to time, is adopted by reference, as it may be amended, as a municipal ordinance of the City. This section shall not apply to public vehicles owned and operated for public safety, including police vehicles, fire vehicles,

ambulances, or vehicles owned and operated for other similar public uses.

(e) Nuisance noises. No person or entity shall cause, allow, assist in making, permit, or continue the operation of any source of sound or noise that is loud, unnecessary, or unusual, which disturbs or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace, or safety of others. In determining whether a sound or noise is loud, unnecessary, or unusual, and therefore a public nuisance, the following factors shall be considered:

(1) The time of day;

(2) The proximity of the source of the sound or noise to hospitals, places of

worship, or hotels or other places of lodging, with such volume as to

unreasonably disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in such

locations;

(3) Whether the sound is intermittent, recurrent, or constant;

(4) The volume and intensity of the sound or noise.

(f) Exemptions. This section shall not apply to authorized activities on public or private school grounds (including but not limited to, athletic, musical, or entertainment events), or regularly scheduled events at places of public assembly such as stadiums, parks, and other public event facilities.

(g) Enforcement.

(1) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500 for each offense and/or 30 days in

jail or both, unless otherwise provided by applicable state statute (i.e., La.

such recalibration, in a form approved by the City, shall be kept with the

equipment to which it refers.