The new noise ordinance has been passed by the Charlotte City Council in a unanimous vote. The new ordinance targets repeat offenders and is based on decibel limits. It is not nearly as harsh as the original proposal brought before the committee months ago.
You can download a copy of it here.
Some of the new stipulations are:
It shall be unlawful to:
(1) Operate or allow the operation of any sound amplification equipment so as to create sounds registering 55 db(A) between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday or between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Friday or Saturday or 50 db(A) at any other time, as measured anywhere within the boundary line of the nearest residentially occupied property
(2) As to multifamily structures including apartments, condominiums, or other residential arrangements where boundary lines cannot readily be determined, operate or allow the operation of any sound amplification equipment so as to create sounds registering 55 db(A) between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday or between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Friday or Saturday or 50 db(A) between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.at any other time, as measured from any point within the interior of another residential unit in the same complex or within the boundary line of the nearest residentially occupied property
Permits for additional amplification at a property, or adjacent properties under common ownership, shall be limited to 15 hours in a calendar year. Permits issued pursuant to this section may allow additional amplification only between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Friday or Saturday.
This article appears in May 17-23, 2011.
A compromise needed to be reached, and the Charlotte music scene stepped up.
There are still problems with the new ordinance though.
If you are speaking in a room your vocal level will exceed 55-65 DB, ambient sound on ALMOST ANY Charlotte street will exceed this limit.
AND
Why do the UPTOWN crowd get a free pass?
(FOOD FOR THOUGHT)