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Commissioners revise county noise ordinance to permit sheriff enforcement of boating noise countywide
Summary
The board repealed and restated Polk County’s noise ordinance to remove exemptions and explicitly permit the sheriff to enforce boating‑related noise disturbances countywide; staff said the change applies to any lake when a noise disturbance occurs and does not set specific boating hours.
The board adopted a replacement noise ordinance that removes certain prior exemptions and clarifies that the sheriff’s office has authority to enforce noise disturbances that originate from boats. Staff said the change is not limited to designated swim‑exclusion areas — the sheriff can act on any Polk County lake when the statutory definition of a noise disturbance is met.
Commissioners asked whether the ordinance set hours for boating activities; staff answered that, except for some specified organized events, the boating‑noise provisions do not include defined daily hours. The board approved the ordinance by voice vote.
