The Oconee County Board of Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing and First Reading of an amendment to the Noise Ordinance at its Agenda Setting Meeting on July 26, 2022, with a Second Reading and action at its Regular Meeting on August 2, 2022.
The proposed changes to the Noise Ordinance, Section 38-12 of the Oconee County Code of Ordinances, would prohibit tractor trailers and other large vehicles from producing excessive noise by using Jake brakes or failing to use a proper muffler.
The text of the proposed change is below:
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to cause loud or unusual noises which are detrimental or annoying to the public, including, without limitation, unusual loud disturbances in or around churches or multiple-family complexes such as loud music and other activities in swimming pool and clubhouse areas, and further including, without limitation, the following specifically prohibited conduct:
(1) The using, operating or permitting to be played, used or operated any machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound, including music, in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants or at any time with louder volume than is necessary for convenient hearing for the persons who are in the room, vehicle or chamber in which such machine or device is operated and who are voluntary listeners thereto. The operation of any such machine or device in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 300 feet from the building, structure or vehicle or, in the case of real property, beyond the property limits in which it is located, whichever is farthest, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekends shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
(2) The using, operating or permitting to be used, operated or played any machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound, including music, which is cast upon the public streets for the purpose of commercial advertising or which serves to attract the attention of the public to any building, structure or vehicle.
(3) Yelling, shouting, whistling, singing, or other similar noisemaking on the public streets, or private property, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekends, so as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office, or in any dwelling, hotel or other type of residence, or of persons in the vicinity.
(b) Registration is required of all outdoor entertainment events not being conducted under the direction and control of a public or private school or of a governmental entity that have commercial entertainment or electronic amplification. Registration of the event must be 72 hours prior to the event and must be by the person or persons responsible for the event. Registration is to be with the county sheriff's department, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on an application specified by the sheriff and shall include the organization sponsoring the event, the location, the date and time of the event, and security provisions.
(c) Motor vehicles. No person shall slow a road tractor, dump truck or other truck over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating by downshifting or Jake brakes. The brakes shall be used. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle without a proper muffler, in good working order and in constant operation, to prevent excessive noise. No person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device for noise making.
(Ord. of 11-7-1995, § 11)
Original source can be found here.
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