Parma Heights council agrees in principle on 9 p.m. quiet time, defers decibel limit and delivery-code changes

Parma Heights City Council members discussed proposed revisions to the city’s peace disturbance ordinance at a Jan. 23 work session, signaling agreement to standardize quiet hours for yard work at 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and postponing a decision on a numeric decibel threshold pending staff sampling.

Council President Tom Rounds reintroduced the item, saying the proposal was first raised last fall and postponed during budget discussions. “We originally brought this out last fall but I postponed this discussion because of budget discussions at that time,” Rounds said, and asked colleagues for their views on where the language should sit in the city code.

Councilwoman Maruschak urged streamlining existing time rules into one consistent schedule and suggested removing month-specific provisions; Councilwoman DeSouza and Councilman Haase agreed that the current patchwork of time windows is confusing and should be harmonized. Councilman Haase said, “I think we need to streamline it and make it consistent throughout our codes.”

Councilwoman Walsh proposed a 7:00 a.m. start and 9:00 p.m. end and asked, “How loud is 60 decibels?” Maruschak replied that “60 decibels is normal conversation level,” and noted that residential lawn equipment typically measures about 80–85 decibels, prompting discussion over whether the numeric threshold should be higher.

Several members signaled support for a 9:00 p.m. cutoff for mowing and power-tool use. Councilman Stavole raised a practical concern for commercial landscapers, saying a too-early start time could force businesses to work in other jurisdictions or return later in the day.

Council members also identified section 648.11 of the city code, which currently prohibits deliveries between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and forbids deliveries at any time on Sundays, as needing review; Councilwoman DeSouza read the section aloud to frame the scope of the change under consideration.

Rounds asked staff to bring decibel samples (for example, typical readings for conversation, household appliances and lawn equipment) to a future meeting so the council could set a clear numeric standard. No formal motion or vote was taken during the short work session, which was adjourned at 6:47 p.m.

What happens next: staff will be asked to provide decibel measurements and a proposed draft of consolidated time-language for council review; the city code’s delivery restriction in section 648.11 will be examined alongside that draft.