Virginia Beach council OKs new noise ordinance

Posted to: News Virginia Beach
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By Deirdre Fernandes
The Virginian-Pilot
© May 13, 2009

VIRGINIA BEACH

The City Council on Tuesday voted 10-1 to approve a new noise ordinance with specific decibel requirements and tougher penalties.

The city's old noise law was ruled unconstitutional last month by the Virginia Supreme Court because it was too vague. City attorneys and police officials rushed to create a new rule that would satisfy the court's concerns and be in place before the Memorial Day holiday and the beginning of tourist season.

Councilman Ron Villanueva, who voted against the ordinance, said the public, including the restaurants and hotels affected, should have been involved in determining the changes.

The city should hold meetings with the public toward the end of the summer to determine how the new ordinance fared, Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson said.

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Noise

Submitted by inspect228 on Fri, 10/23/2009 at 10:02 am.

Hey, what about the jet noise? Will the navy be getting citation for being loud too?

Excludes city noise

Submitted by wspeid on Thu, 05/14/2009 at 12:11 am.

Sadly the noise restrictions don't apply to city sponsored events and musicians. Some of those street performers are frightening.

unholy Noise

Submitted by verdai on Wed, 05/13/2009 at 8:20 pm.

This is a very good idea. (especially if they can identify and enforce)

It is to be hoped that it will cover neighborhood noise such as the demented and retarded who spend all their time in front of TVs set at the loudest sound, hammering with cast iron in their stainless steel sinks, slamming all the available doors hard enough to shake the building, and stinking up the premises with the results thereof.

This should be of interest to the City of Norfolk.

BEACH NOISE ORDINANCE

Submitted by membari on Wed, 05/13/2009 at 11:02 am.

Those KIA Soul hamsters will be in big trouble if they drive around VA Beach!

Common Sense

Submitted by whatup on Wed, 05/13/2009 at 8:50 am.

I haven't read the new noise ordinance but I hope it allows for common sense. If a big Hummer rides past with music shaking windows I hope the ordinance allows an officer to issue a summons. If a band is practicing next door I hope the homeowner can get relief. And lets not forget those churches who feel they can disturb an entire neighborhood and not be held accoutable. The Virginia Supreme Court has spoken an we would not want to see a citizen's rights violated because they want to blair out their music. I guess the judges who sit on the supreme court live in neighborhoods where they aren't exposed to this.