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Council approves sound variance for Taylor Road Halloween block party with 75-decibel cap
Summary
Portsmouth granted a sound-variance requested by Andrew Jones for an Oct. 26 Halloween block party, adopting a 75-decibel enforcement limit measured at the receiving property line as recommended by police; the measure passed 6–0.
The Portsmouth Town Council closed a public hearing and approved a request from Andrew Jones for a sound-variance for a Halloween block party on Oct. 26, 2024, setting a 75-decibel enforcement cap measured at the receiving property line.
Andrew Jones described the block party as an annual neighborhood event that has run without incident in prior years. The Police Department recommended a 75-decibel limit for variances, explaining enforcement uses decibel readings taken at the receiving land use (the complainant’s property line), not the sound source.
Council members discussed whether the town could impose a uniform cap for variances and whether the measurement point should be standardized; several members supported the 75-decibel cap. A motion to approve the variance with the decibel limit passed by voice vote, recorded as 6 to 0.
The decision is recorded as council approval of the requested sound-variance with the condition that readings at the affected receiving property not exceed 75 decibels.
