Salisbury City Council receives update on noise-related complaints and enforcement process
SALISBURY — Salisbury City Council members were briefed on the city’s noise-related ordinances and the enforcement process during their recent meeting. Code Services Manager Michael Cotilla presented the guidelines for imposing noise regulations and outlined how residents are notified if they are potentially violating these ordinances.
One of the key ordinances discussed was the building construction noise ordinance. According to the ordinance, any excavation, demolition, alteration, or repair of a building in residential or business districts can only take place between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday work is strictly prohibited unless it qualifies as an emergency repair utility. Cotilla emphasized that any construction activity outside these designated hours would be considered unlawful.
Exceptions to the designated timings can be made in case of urgent necessity for public safety. However, approval from the city manager’s office is required in such cases.
Although the number of complaints related to construction noise remains relatively low, Code Services takes immediate action upon receiving them. We make contact with someone on site, such as a foreman or general contractor, and inform them that their work is unauthorized during the specified period, Cotilla explained.
In order to resolve violations, code services issues a courtesy notice or an order of compliance to the violator. If construction continues despite these warnings, the city’s civil citation protocol is initiated, and the offender may face fines of up to $250 per day.
For cases where construction work resumes despite previous warnings, Salisbury has the authority to issue a stop-work order until an agreement is reached.
Another ordinance discussed was the animal noise ordinance, which includes regulations for both dogs and roosters. The ordinance states that the keeping of animals or birds that cause frequent or prolonged noise disturbances, thereby affecting the comfort and repose of individuals in the vicinity, is considered unlawful.
Upon receiving a complaint, the city conducts a property visit to determine if the noise is excessive or frequent, as defined by the ordinance. Cotilla mentioned that aspects like the animal’s well-being, whether it is distressed, chained up, caged, and provided with food and water, are taken into account. Cases that raise concerns are reported to animal control.
Determining the extent of violation under the animal noise ordinance rests with the code service officer’s discretion. Violators are usually informed about the violation through a courtesy notice. Within 10 business days, the city conducts a follow-up inspection to ensure appropriate action has been taken to address the noise issue. Failure to comply results in a $50 fine. If the violation still persists after 10 business days, the fine is increased to $100. In more severe cases, fines can amount to $250 per day.
In conclusion, the Salisbury City Council was provided with an update on how noise-related ordinances are enforced by the city. The presentation by Code Services Manager Michael Cotilla shed light on the process of imposing regulations for construction noise and animal noise disturbances. The council members gained valuable insights into the measures taken by the city to address noise-related complaints and ensure the well-being and tranquility of Salisbury’s residents.
