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Council advances noise-code rewrite replacing decibels with 'plainly audible' test
Summary
Council introduced amendments to Chapter 654 to replace decibel thresholds with a plainly audible standard, expand coverage to all properties with limited exceptions, and set time-based rules for multiunit dwellings; a public hearing on the ordinance was scheduled.
The Lansing City Council on Nov. 17 introduced an ordinance to amend chapter 654 of the city code, replacing references to decibel levels with a "plainly audible" standard and applying the noise rules to all properties in the city with limited exceptions.
Council member Pelle (Pellebonne/Pelle Bondiglia) said the change includes a definition of "plainly audible" and alters how motor-vehicle noise (exhaust, horns, music) and multiunit residential disruptive noises are evaluated by the city. "This also includes a definition for what plainly audible is," Pelle said at the meeting while describing timeframes and enforcement clarifications.
The ordinance was read by title and referred to the Committee on Public Safety, with a public hearing scheduled for Dec. 8. During public comment, Ivan Droste urged caution about enforcement mechanisms that could expand police contacts for vehicle noise and urged alternative, community-based fixes and infrastructure solutions to reduce motor-vehicle conflicts.
Next steps: The ordinance will go to the Committee on Public Safety and return to council after public hearing and committee review.
