Noise ordinances: The good, the bad, and the ugly; An overview of more than 200 existing noise ordinances

The Noise Pollution Clearinghouse (NPC) has collected more than 200 community noise ordinances and state noise regulations and is in the process of putting them in the NPC Online Law Library. This paper provides an overview of existing noise ordinances, examining what’s covered and what’s missing, as well as what’s enforceable and what’s unenforceable. In addition, the paper will include a summary of how communities are handling various noise problems such as impulsive noise, boom cars, lawn equipment, air conditioners, etc. Finally, new and emerging issues in community noise control and enforcement are discussed.