Sedgwick County staff outline options for countywide noise rule as commissioners raise enforcement concerns

Assistant County Counselor Armand Shekaif briefed Sedgwick County commissioners on options for a countywide noise resolution, presenting two main approaches — measurable decibel thresholds and a reasonableness standard — and describing enforcement, evidentiary and exemption challenges.

Shekaif told the commissioners the county currently has no blanket prohibition on loud noise in the unincorporated area and relies on targeted provisions in the county code (for example, the animal code for continuous barking) and on disorderly-conduct charges in specific circumstances. "Currently, there's not [a] countywide resolution for the unincorporated area of Sedgwick County that would generally prohibit loud noises," Shekaif said.

The two approaches presented

Shekaif described a decibel-based approach that sets specific thresholds measured at a specified distance (for example, 50, 75 or 100 feet) and requires trained equipment and certified procedures. He said the downside is cost and administrative burden: "It would require training, the equipment, cost of maintenance,"…