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Council repeals overlapping nuisance-noise section to streamline enforcement
Summary
Bill 27-25 repeals section 13-81 of the municipal code; staff said enforcement will proceed under section 13-57 and that residents should report noise complaints to the police nonemergency line, 311, or neighborhood services with documentation.
The Common Council voted to repeal a duplicative municipal provision addressing public nuisance noises (Bill 27-25) to reduce overlap and clarify enforcement.
City Attorney Jenna Throw told the council the repeal is intended to strengthen enforcement by removing vague or overlapping language in Section 13-81 and consolidating noise enforcement under Section 13-57. Kylie Connell explained reporting channels for residents: the police nonemergency number, 311, and Neighborhood Services. Connell and council members emphasized the importance of residents documenting incidents (for example, using video) because officers often arrive after noise has stopped.
Council member discussion included district-specific examples of recurring noise concerns; council members asked staff about response options for residents who cannot document incidents (for example, elderly residents). Staff said in some cases, if noise is predictable or occurs at consistent times, city staff could attempt scheduled documentation, but staffing and resource limits mean that community documentation and neighbor assistance are often the most practical approaches.
Bill 27-25 passed on third reading with a roll-call vote of nine ayes.
