Bexley council unveils broad rewrite of noise ordinance; residents urged to review

BEXLEY — On first reading Nov. 18, Bexley City Council introduced a comprehensive rewrite of the municipal noise ordinance designed to modernize antiquated language, add decibel‑based standards and create a permitting pathway for neighborhood events.

Sponsor and mayoral staff noted the existing code contains obsolete references (for example to steam shovels and phonographs) and lacks clear, enforceable standards for contemporary equipment. The proposed ordinance would set daytime and nighttime decibel limits, allow homeowners a one‑time per‑year midnight permit for private events (with neighbor sign‑off for additional occurrences) and create differentiated time windows for contractors depending on equipment noise levels.

Councilmembers raised requests for simplification and clarity. Councilmember Marcelino said the draft contains many exceptions and hour distinctions and urged a version that is easier for residents and officers to interpret. Councilmember Hurley asked whether the definition of "commercial contractor" might inadvertently capture single‑operator handymen and sought clarity to avoid overreach.

Residents asked how the rewrite would interact with existing agreements — for example, activities at Capital University’s stadium — and whether monitoring (decibel readings) would be produced regularly under those agreements. The mayor said staff would review those agreements with counsel and return with specifics.

The ordinance remains under study; sponsors asked residents to review the memo and draft text ahead of further readings.