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Committee moves draft excessive-vehicle-noise ordinance to city attorney for review
Summary
The Wildwood Admin & Public Works Committee voted to send a draft municipal ordinance targeting excessive vehicle noise to the city attorney for legal review, authorize staff training and enforcement preparations, and schedule the measure for council reading.
The Admin & Public Works Committee in Wildwood voted to advance a draft ordinance aimed at curbing excessive vehicle noise, approving a motion to send the proposal to the city attorney for legal review and to authorize staff to prepare enforcement tools and officer training.
The committee’s motion — made by Council member Mabry and seconded by Council member Albers — asked the city attorney to review a framework that would supplement the city’s existing noise code with a vehicle-focused moving violation. Administrator Lee described the draft as targeting loud engines, modified exhausts and amplified stereos, and said it would be aimed primarily at “those guys that are racing up and down 100,” not routine residential noise complaints.
Why it matters: Committee members said the move is intended to give police a clearer enforcement option for vehicles that are frequently reported as excessive and disruptive. Administrator Lee said the city’s current code measures noise by decibel readings at property lines and requires sustained noise thresholds of between two and 60 minutes; the draft would add a tool geared to moving vehicles and to situations where an officer can hear excessive noise at a distance such as 50 feet.
Committee discussion focused on enforcement logistics and equipment. Tom (staff) noted the city already has one decibel meter that works reliably and a second unit that is serviceable; members raised the prospect of buying additional meters if the ordinance moves forward. Administrator Lee said officer body cameras and audio are often sufficient evidence, and that the proposed ordinance would not replace the existing noise code but would be “in addition to” it. The draft references an 85-decibel threshold as an operational benchmark used in some scenarios discussed with staff.
The motion passed on a voice vote; members voted to authorize staff to brief the city attorney, to start officer training and to schedule the ordinance for city-council reading.
Next steps: Staff will forward the draft to City Attorney John Young for legal review and return with proposed final language, an enforcement plan and a cost estimate for any additional equipment before the ordinance reaches the full council.
