Kenilworth council introduces noise ordinance update after debate over 50-foot standard

The Borough of Kenilworth introduced an ordinance to amend Chapter 134 of the municipal code to clarify noise regulations and limit certain construction activities on Sundays.

The borough attorney explained the ordinance would break noise into categories (general, amplified sound and PA equipment, light equipment, heavy equipment) and said a sound "that travels 50 feet onto neighboring residential property and is plainly audible could be a nuisance." The attorney also summarized feedback from a property owner’s attorney and cited DEP noise guidance that recommended a tighter distance rule; the attorney said the DEP guidance was informative but that a 50-foot plainly audible standard was a reasonable local measure.

Council members discussed possible revisions. One suggestion from outside counsel was to eliminate any distance threshold and rely solely on a "plainly audible" test at a property line; the borough attorney and several council members said that would be too restrictive and could classify ordinary residential conversation as a nuisance. The council also discussed time-based limits for amplified sound; the draft sets restricted hours (Sunday–Thursday 9 p.m.–8 a.m.; Friday and Saturday later at night) for certain amplified uses while allowing activity during daytime hours.

After discussion the council chose to introduce the ordinance as written and to permit further amendment before adoption if desired. A motion to approve Ordinance 2025-O-07 on introduction passed on a roll-call vote. Ordinance 2025-O-07 was scheduled for public hearing and adoption at the borough’s Dec. 3, 2025 meeting at 6 p.m.

The council and attorney emphasized that enforcement options for disturbing-the-peace complaints remain available to police regardless of the specific nuisance definition in the ordinance.

Provenance: topic introduction appears where the borough attorney summarized the ordinance language and DEP feedback; discussion and roll call recorded later in the meeting transcript.