Bloomington Looking to Crack Down on Noise
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: September 4, 2012
BLOOMINGTON - Have you ever thought about how much noise you make?
Maybe not, but it is something city leaders in Bloomington have on their radar. They are looking to quiet things down with a new noise ordinance.
"One thing we do hear a lot from is people that often times feel like the peace, quiet and tranquility of living in their home or living in their apartment or condo often times is disrupted by noise late at night," said City Manager David Hales.
The citywide ordinance bans noises louder than 55 decibels between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the week and 8 a.m. during the weekend.
Hales said, "With 10 p.m., that helps give us more ammunition. A barking dog can be quite loud."
But what does 55 decibels sound like? WMBD 31 used a sound meter Tuesday to find out.
A barking dog, like Hales referenced, registered around 90 decibels.
And here are a few other examples that could be considered as breaking the ordinance:
A truck's exhaust system registered around 80 decibels, and a car horn registered more than 100 decibels.
Even a conversation between two people registered well beyond 55 decibels. So will people get in trouble for talking?
Hales responded by saying, "I can't necessarily say is it the right level or if it should be a little higher. Again this is just a draft ordinance."
But one thing is for sure. Hales said the ordinance will be largely complaint driven and police will enforce it using new sound meters.
"The police will be the ones who enforce it, and they have to use their discretion. They'll need to use common sense," he said.
The city's hope is the ordinance will strike a balance specifically in areas like downtown where people often clash over how loud is too loud.
"Thousands of students go down onto the street at 2 a.m. and yet you have a lot of people, hundreds of people that live downtown," Hales said.
He also noted the city's downtown entertainment task force recommended the ordinance. WMBD 31 has also learned police support it and helped tweak it.
"We've received a lot of support, and some of it is from residents." Hales said.
You can read more about the ordinance by clicking here.
There would also be exceptions for school functions, city-related events, some outdoor events and emergency situations.
Fines range from $100 to $250.
Maybe not, but it is something city leaders in Bloomington have on their radar. They are looking to quiet things down with a new noise ordinance.
"One thing we do hear a lot from is people that often times feel like the peace, quiet and tranquility of living in their home or living in their apartment or condo often times is disrupted by noise late at night," said City Manager David Hales.
The citywide ordinance bans noises louder than 55 decibels between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the week and 8 a.m. during the weekend.
Hales said, "With 10 p.m., that helps give us more ammunition. A barking dog can be quite loud."
But what does 55 decibels sound like? WMBD 31 used a sound meter Tuesday to find out.
A barking dog, like Hales referenced, registered around 90 decibels.
And here are a few other examples that could be considered as breaking the ordinance:
A truck's exhaust system registered around 80 decibels, and a car horn registered more than 100 decibels.
Even a conversation between two people registered well beyond 55 decibels. So will people get in trouble for talking?
Hales responded by saying, "I can't necessarily say is it the right level or if it should be a little higher. Again this is just a draft ordinance."
But one thing is for sure. Hales said the ordinance will be largely complaint driven and police will enforce it using new sound meters.
"The police will be the ones who enforce it, and they have to use their discretion. They'll need to use common sense," he said.
The city's hope is the ordinance will strike a balance specifically in areas like downtown where people often clash over how loud is too loud.
"Thousands of students go down onto the street at 2 a.m. and yet you have a lot of people, hundreds of people that live downtown," Hales said.
He also noted the city's downtown entertainment task force recommended the ordinance. WMBD 31 has also learned police support it and helped tweak it.
"We've received a lot of support, and some of it is from residents." Hales said.
You can read more about the ordinance by clicking here.
There would also be exceptions for school functions, city-related events, some outdoor events and emergency situations.
Fines range from $100 to $250.
