Deal of the Day
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How loud is too loud Published: November 19, 2009  Decibel meters like this one, while used by some other localities to identify noise violations, will likely not be part of Powhatan’s new ordinance. By Michael Copley The noise ordinance in Powhatan is legally defunct, unenforceable. The Virginia Supreme Court in May sent local governments scrambling to rewrite noise ordinances when it threw out a conviction on a noise violation in Virginia Beach, ruling that city’s law was too vague. The law against excessive noise in Powhatan — like the one in Virginia Beach — hinged on the responding officer’s interpretation of what exceeded reasonable levels of noise. So the Powhatan Board of Supervisors gave County Attorney John Rick the go-ahead to draft a noise ordinance that can stand up in court. Rick used Chesterfield County’s 2009 noise ordinance as a jumping-off point and said he met with Powhatan’s Sheriff, Greg Neal, and other deputies to craft legislation that will work for Powhatan. The spectrum of noise ordinances stretches from reasonable interpretation to mechanical monitoring, using meters to measure and identify sounds that are louder than some set standard. The former was just ruled too vague, but sources said the latter can be a nightmare for law enforcement. Rick’s solution, as it is shaping up, will use objective standards to identify excessive noise.
Make it illegal for a gathering of 10 or more people to make noise from 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. that can be heard from inside another building, or from a set distance. Make it illegal to allow a dog’s barking to be heard from inside another building, at some set distance from the animal, or at least once a minute for 10 consecutive minutes. Correction The article also speculated on the objective standards that might be set in the new ordinance. Based on details of Chesterfield County’s noise ordinance, the writer offered 50 feet as a possible distance at which audible noise would become a nuisance. Rick said that distance was probably too short for Powhatan.
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michael johnson of powhatan
Aug. 9, 2010, 11:37 AM
been in powhatan for 30 yrs i hunt and i have a shooting range at my house what we need is respect for your neighbor we didnt have these problems growing up here,we all make noise.i agree with the bikes and atv but you start with them sooner or later it will come to something u do .talk it out and leave the county out of it scott of powhatan
Nov. 24, 2009, 10:59 AM
Use that ramp as your backdrop for bow practice…. dave osbourne of Powhatan
Nov. 24, 2009, 09:52 AM
It seems most of my loud neighbors moved here from the city and think that they live in the wild west. They installed a ATV and dirt bike track on their 1 acre yard complete with earth ramps. When they ride it is so loud and dusty I can not even go into my yard or open a window. Of course I was told by the county they were within their legal rights to do so, so I dont want to hear any crying over loud stereos or guns. AA of Powhatan, VA
Nov. 23, 2009, 03:17 PM
“i have had the kid on the dirt bike noise and the kid with the bass that moves things inside my house it is so loud and it does suck. I have the barking dog behind me now and it also sucks, but the new rules will take care of that.” Scott, sounds like you live on my street. We also ‘enjoy’ the loud dirtbike and thumping bass from neighbors at all times of day or night. So much for peace and quiet in the country… scott of powhatan
Nov. 23, 2009, 07:33 AM
i have had the kid on the dirt bike noise and the kid with the bass that moves things inside my house it is so loud and it does suck. I have the barking dog behind me now and it also sucks, but the new rules will take care of that. Yer funny...
Nov. 22, 2009, 12:38 AM
I was born and raised here in Powhatan, so I find it funny you would assume that anyone that is “for” this ordinance would be a Yankee. Oh, and considering I do hunt myself, some of those real gunshots being heard, could actually be mine. Don’t assume you know who you’re talking about. (and people wonder why there’s an aversion to voicing a differing opinion around here?) cry! cry! cry! of MOSELEY, VA
Nov. 22, 2009, 12:14 AM
this means you can’t start your car before 7 am, in your “RESIDENTIALLY-ZONED” yaad and wake me up, after i’ve been partying,doing my yard work,and cutting timber all night long. GO HOME YANKEE!! OH my god,if you hear a GUNSHOT it is hunting season! Frustrated Neighbor
Nov. 20, 2009, 04:17 PM
I’m hoping… b) The noise ordinance will also cover loud outdoor “toys”, such as ATV’s, dirt bikes and go karts. Too many people use their residentially-zoned yards as off-road race tracks, at all hours of the day and night. Those that have installed aftermarket exhausts on them, are the worst offenders. Ever had what sounds like a machine gun going off in your living room, only to find out it’s “just your neighbor’s ATV”? Submit Your Comments Below |
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