New Noise Rules
Chesterfield’s Board of Supervisors voted last week to enact a new noise ordinance. The Virginia Supreme Court had ruled that Chesterfield’s previous ordinance, much like that of Virginia Beach, was too general and invalidated the county’s noise law. The police department has not enforced the noise ordinance since the spring.
The new ordinance fixed the problems with the old ordinance and added a few new items, including rules on noise from parties, eliminating restrictions on noises from farm animals, and setting a fine starting at $100 with a maximum of $500.
The county’s new noise ordinance restricts noise in residential areas due to lawn maintenance from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.; trash and recycling pickup is restricted between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.; and music from vehicles should not be heard more than 50 feet away.
Noise from pets or other animals should not be heard inside another person’s home or from 50 feet away for 10 consecutive minutes. The rule for music or television noise is similar; it must not be heard in another person’s home or from 50 feet from the device between midnight and 7 a.m.
Ten or more people gathered at one home between midnight and 7 a.m. must not make enough noise to be heard 50 away or in another person’s home.
news@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421
Comments
Noise
I am saddened that I had new folks move in next door 5 years ago. Now the oldest of three can drive, he plays annoying bass in his car in the driveway. He also has attracted friends that curse, even yelling at the boys parents. I called the police when we were trying to have a cook out and the kids were cussing and playing the music. The next day my mailbox was destroyed. I told the CCPD of this and they said if I had no proof, no case. I wish their driveway did not parallel mine along the fence separating our properties. Looks like the police complaints aren't enough.
noise is too much in Chesterfield
having to hear the redneck next door being a jackass any time they want and having the 'law' protect him makes me very angry. My children have to hear the muflerless toys and the loud music until midnight? Chesterfield county needs to step up to the plate on this one.
Noise
It's not fair that we have to pay these high taxes in Chester and have to listen to a neighbor that has no respect and plays there base so loud u can hear it over your tv, this is not fair!!
Re: Noise Ordinances
I don't mean to be confrontational, but I believe that the moment we begin to put limitations on healthy clean fun is the moment we will force our youth to look for other activities which have the potential to be devious in nature. I understand that the noise from four basketballs can be quite loud when they are smashing a portable goal outside your house but one must also consider the area in which he or she lives has an impact on the reasonable amount of noise to be encountered. For example, I understand that because I live in a neighborhood with lots of children, I should expect a regular amount of noise from their playing outside. Even though I work nights and would prefer silence during the day, I chose to live here and accepted the "consequences".
Noise Ordinances
Isn't there a 24-hour nuisance noise ordinance in Chesterfield County? We have a family of 5 (4 boys) living next door who are home-schooled by their Mother. It seems that everytime that these boys get bored with homeschool, or perhaps, on recess or break, they decide to come outside and bang basketballs (sometimes 4 at a time) on a portable basketball goal. The boys' ages vary from 6 to 14. This occurs 2, 3, 4, or more times a day, and even at night around 7 pm and as late as 11:00 pm. Since the County Ordinance covers timesframes from 10 pm to 7 am for loud noise from lawn maintence, and 12 midnight to 7 am regarding loud music, why is there no protection for residents for any loud noise that can be heard from inside the home that disturbs that resident's peace at any time? A nuisance noise can be a real problem in high volume neighborhoods, especially when residents run a homeschool in their homes.
Post new comment