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Board tables proposed noise ordinance after public comment; deputies sought clearer enforcement tools
Summary
Public commenters pressed for enforcement that addresses loud music and late-night disturbances. County attorney and staff presented a draft ordinance aimed at replacing vague, hard-to-enforce language with standards tied to sounds heard inside closed dwellings; the board voted to table the ordinance for further edits and outreach.
Isle of Wight supervisors opened a public hearing on a proposed revision to the county’s noise ordinance and voted to table the draft after public comment and board discussion.
County attorney staff and county attorney (Mr. Jones) presented a draft ordinance intended to replace subjective language (for example, “disturbing the peace”) with enforceable standards tied to audibility inside a closed dwelling and time windows for restricted noise. The staff draft also added definitions and removed provisions that relied on measurements or subjective standards the sheriff’s office said were difficult to enforce.
Several residents urged stronger enforcement and earlier quiet-hours downtown- and DSD-focused time limits. David Tucker (District 3) criticized the draft as “too wordy” and warned it could become like “HOA bylaws.” Alyssa Jack, a Smithville Heights resident, told the board she and multiple neighbors repeatedly called deputies about a property with loud DJ music; she said officers “told us there is nothing they can do” and urged changing cut‑off times so noise could be enforced before midnight.
Board members and staff discussed applying different standards in development service districts (DSDs) or denser residential areas versus rural/agricultural areas. Supervisors highlighted that statutory exemptions (for lawn care, timbering, etc.) and law enforcement resources must be considered during drafting. The sheriff’s office had earlier requested clearer enforcement tools rather than the current subjective standard that often results in deputies asking neighbors to lower the volume and leaving without a citation.
After discussion the board voted to table the ordinance and asked staff to return with a revised draft that reflects the board’s direction, including clearer definitions, consideration of DSD boundaries and input from the sheriff’s office.
Why it matters: The draft aims to give deputies clear standards they can enforce without subjective measures. Residents in denser neighborhoods told the board the current ordinance leaves them with limited remedies for repeated late-night loud noise.
