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Madison County commissioners introduce noise ordinance, set Jan. 21 public hearing
Summary
Commissioners formally introduced Ordinance 2025-BC-O1 to regulate excessive noise in unincorporated Madison County, agreed to seek public comment at a Jan. 21 hearing and discussed enforcement, exemptions for agricultural and construction equipment, and wording for ride-share vehicles.
Madison County commissioners on a routine agenda introduced an ordinance aimed at curbing unwanted and excessive noise in unincorporated parts of the county and set a public hearing for Jan. 21.
Commissioner John Richwine introduced Ordinance 2025-BC-O1, which would add a standalone noise control measure to the county code in addition to the existing nuisance ordinance, and said the draft is modeled in part on provisions used by nearby jurisdictions. "This would be the worst of the worst," Richwine said, describing the measure as targeted at the most disruptive cases rather than routine neighborhood noise.
The ordinance was presented as a tool to give law enforcement an additional enforcement option beyond the county's existing nuisance code and private litigation. The board and staff acknowledged enforcement challenges: decibel readings and evidence-gathering can be difficult, and what is appropriate in one part of the county may be unacceptable in another. The draft includes exemptions for routine equipment listed in the text such as lawnmowers and construction gear; commissioners asked that agricultural equipment be explicitly exempted as well.
Board members also questioned several drafting details. One commissioner asked about a provision that lists a "jitney," and staff clarified the intent was to cover small passenger-transport vehicles; the board discussed replacing or clarifying that term with language such as "ride-sharing vehicle." The board directed staff to revise the draft to add an agricultural exemption and to clarify language on passenger vehicles before the next meeting.
Commissioner Richwine moved to formally introduce the ordinance as amended and to set a public hearing on Jan. 21; a second was received and the board approved the motion.
The ordinance introduction does not itself change enforcement or impose penalties; it only places a revised draft on the agenda for a public hearing and possible later adoption. Staff and commissioners indicated they will return with the clarified language and the agricultural exemption for further public comment and formal consideration.
