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Council approves first-reading changes to lighting and noise rules; staff to refine definitions after resident complaints
Summary
The council approved changes to Chapter 23 ordinances on lighting and noise on first reading, including raising the residential outdoor noise limit from 55 to 60 decibels; councilors and residents urged clearer definitions for terms such as 'strobing' and asked staff to meet with a complainant about a generator exceeding current limits.
The Minot City Council approved on first reading proposed amendments to Chapter 23 — a lighting ordinance that adds new limits on ornamental and flashing lights — and a related change to the city’s noise ordinance that raises the allowable outdoor residential noise level from 55 to 60 decibels.
Both motions passed unanimously. Council members asked staff to clarify specific definitions (notably “strobing” and similar terms) before the second reading of the lighting ordinance. Several councilors said ornamental house lighting that twinkles or “sparkles” should not be unintentionally classified as a strobe.
During the personal‑appearances portion of the meeting, resident Kent Bail described an ongoing noise problem from a neighbor’s standby generator that “runs 20 minutes every week” and said on‑site decibel measurements taken by Sergeant Foley recorded 58–60 decibels inside the complainant’s home and around 70 decibels outside the doorway. Bail urged the council to retain the 55‑decibel residential limit. Council members asked staff to meet with the complainant and the property owner to explore mitigation (for example, scheduling changes, sound enclosures or reduced frequency of weekly exercise runs) and to consider HOA avenues when applicable.
City attorneys and staff told the council the proposed 60‑decibel standard was drawn in part from commonly accepted decibel levels for typical household equipment (for example lawn mowers and leaf blowers) so the ordinance would not inadvertently prohibit normal activity. Staff acknowledged the standard leaves room for a “reasonableness” determination and that HOAs can adopt stricter rules.
The council instructed staff to return with clarifying language on the lighting ordinance (definitions of “strobing” and lights that “track” or move) and with options for addressing the specific generator complaint. The noise ordinance amendment will proceed to a second reading; staff said any clarifying amendments could be presented at that reading.
