Seat Pleasant holds first reading on revised noise ordinance with new decibel limits and waiver process

Seat Pleasant City Council held the first reading Monday of Ordinance O25-11, a rewrite of Chapter 1.12 (Noise) that adds definitions, sets maximum decibel levels by zoning and time of day, creates a measurement standard, and establishes a temporary-waiver process overseen by the city manager.

The rewrite would, among other things, define daytime as 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and nighttime as 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.; cap maximum continuous daytime levels at 75 dBA (industrial), 67 dBA (commercial) and 65 dBA (residential); lower nighttime caps (for example, 55 dBA in residential zones); and treat “plainly audible” detection at 50 feet as evidence. The measure remains at first reading and will return for additional review and amendment.

Council members and police officials spent much of the discussion on enforcement and unintended consequences in attached housing and high-density wards. Councilwoman McCarthy asked whether the waiver process would effectively exempt…