Hey! Roswell councilors are considering revision to noise ordinance | Local News

The specific portion of the Nuisance Ordinance that focuses on noise is Section 10. This draft document includes the addition of decibel levels, which would make it easier to enforce, said City Attorney Hess Yntema.

It contains sound level limits for residential, commercial and industrial-manufacturing areas, with separate thresholds for day and night.

Councilor Cristina Arnold sought an amendment to reduce the number of days when fireworks are allowed to be set off.

The draft ordinance presented to councilors had allowed five days of using fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July. Arnold asked that the number of days be reduced to three because of concern about the effect of fireworks on those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“This community tends to do fireworks for a good amount of time,” she said. “And it can stress out many of our veterans or (other) people who have PTSD.”

Both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day would also be OK for celebrating with fireworks.

Among exceptions to the ordinance are sounds or vibrations made by aircraft, as well as related activities at airports and approved helipads — but only if they occur in connection to law enforcement, public utility restoration, emergency medical transport, and search and rescue efforts. Another allowance is for emergency or civic “construction,…