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Parker adopts new noise ordinance; council asks police for six-month enforcement report
Summary
After public comment objecting to broad "plainly audible" language, the city council adopted Ordinance 894 regulating noise (vote 5-0) and requested a follow-up enforcement report from the police department in six months.
Parker's city council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 894, a new noise regulation the city has debated for multiple meetings. The ordinance defines measurement procedures that account for background noise and establishes allowable sound levels; council and staff discussed practical enforcement steps and how officers will account for background noise when taking decibel measurements.
Public commenters urged the council to delay or substantially revise the ordinance. Amanda Ngo told the council she was concerned that the current draft would make noise an offense based solely on a "plainly audible" standard and the 30-foot rule, potentially criminalizing ordinary activity: "If you can hear it, the person doesn't like it, it's named a noise ordinance," she said.
City staff and Chief Price explained how officers will use meter covers and observation to reduce background-noise spikes and will not rely on a single transient reading. Several council members asked the police department to track enforcement closely and report back: council member Barron suggested a presentation in six months to review citations, warnings and calls; another council member asked for both a six-month and one-year review.
Council member Sharp moved to adopt Ordinance 894, and council approved the measure 5-0. The council left open the option to revisit the ordinance after staff and police provide data on enforcement and community impact.
