§ 50-478. Loud, disturbing or unnecessary noises.

(a)

Some sounds may be such that they are not measurable or may not exceed the limits set out in this article, but they may be excessive, unnatural, prolonged, unusual and are a detriment to the public health, comfort, convenience, safety, welfare or prosperity of the residents of the unincorporated areas of the county.

(b)

With the exception of those exemptions provided by state law, noises prohibited by this article are unlawful notwithstanding the fact that no violation of section 50-476 is involved, and notwithstanding the fact that the activity complained about is exempted in subsection 50-476(d).

(c)

Thus, the following acts, among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary in violation of this article, but said enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive, namely:

(1)

The sounding of any horn or signaling device on any automobile or other vehicle, except as a danger warning; the creation by means of any signaling device of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound; the sounding of any signaling device for any unnecessary or unreasonable period of time; and the unreasonable use of any signaling device.

(2)

The using, operating or permitting to be played, used or operated, of any radio, television, tape or record player, amplifier, musical instrument or other machine or device used for the production, reproduction or emission of sound or any prolonged sounds made by people, which causes frequent or long continuous noise in such a manner as to disturb the public peace, quiet and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants or at any time with greater intensity than is necessary for convenient hearing for the persons who are in the room, vehicle or chamber in which such sound emitter is operated and who are voluntary listeners thereto. Quieter standards are expected during nighttime hours.

(3)

The owning, maintaining, harboring, possessing or keeping of any animal that utters, causes, emits or creates, by any means, noise for any frequent or unreasonable period of time, which is plainly audible across the property line of the owner and annoys or disturbs the public peace or the quiet and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants. This provision shall not apply to noise generated from a bona fide farm operation that conforms to generally accepted agricultural and management practices on land classified for agricultural use.

(d)

Any person making a complaint under this section must sign a sworn affidavit prior to a warrant being issued; otherwise no such complaint will be honored.

(Ord. No. 83-22, § III, 12-15-83; Ord. No. 2000-29, § V, 9-7-00; Ord. No. 2013-16, § II, 10-10-13)