This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot 44c6c52fe81f · verified 2026-06-05 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
Ordinance No. 421-0.
Noise
421-1. Definitions
421-6. Inspections
421-2. Loud Noise Prohibited
421-7. Compliance
421-3. Specific Acts Prohibited
421-8. Animals ( Dogs )
421-4. Noise Suppression Devices
421-9. VIOlations &: Peoahies
421-5. Exceptions
421-10. Statement
421-1.I>~()~
FOI'1be purpose of 1bis orrtin:rnre, 1be following ddioitions sba1l be applicable.
PERSCJN- An individual. natural ptDOll, company, paI1nersbip, voluntary association, society,
club, firm, corporation, bu.4liness trust, organization, 01' any odM7 group acting as a unit, with a
mar.ut8er, lessee, agent, partnef', servant, member, director', oflicu 01' employee of any of them.
including an executor, ad:ministnt«, trustee, receiver 01' odu .repr(;Sf'2J1atjve according to law.
TOWN-The Town of Blades in Sussex County, Delaware.
VElBCLE- Evuy device upon which any person 01' property is 01' may be transported 01' drawn
on a public 01' private thorofare, 01' is situated on a public 01' private lot, and is propelled by a
motor, excluding devices moved by human power.
SOUNI> SYSTEM- A macltine 01' device fOl' 1be purpose of producing, reproducing 01' amp
lifying sound, including but not limited to radios, tape and rn players, phooograpbs" nalSiaJ
insarumcrds, 1oudspeakfJ'S, and public address systems..
CJCCUPANT- Any person(s) occupying 01' present on a ~.
~ A COIJJIIleIcial 01' private estabIiabmeot, to include but not limited to, a dwelling unit,
apartme:ut 01' COIJJIIleIcialIodgiog room, marina and similar type waterway, together with the Iaods
and ways, if any, under the 00Jdr0I of the person(s) in possession.
N()JSE- Sounds 01' v:ibrations flll8lUding from a single 01' multiple sources. Noise includes vibra
tions of audible and sub-audible frequmcies that can be beard 01' smsed by a reasonable penon
of normal hearing seosiIivibes, inchvting but not limited to 1be base lIOUDd from amplified music,
wi1bout Jirrritatioos..
N()lSE I>lSTURBANCE- Any sound wbich...
) Annoys 01' disturbs a reasonable person of notmal smsibilities; 01'
) Is created by hllman voice, inchvting but not limited to yelling. sboutiog, hooting, whistling,
01' singing at any time SO as to annoy and disturb a reasonable person of normal sensibilities..
421-2. WOO N()ISE PR()IllBITID
h sbaIl be unlawful wiIbin 1be limits of the town. fOl' any person to mate, aeate 01' continue 01'
cause to be made, aeated 01' continued any loud, unnecessary 01' unusual noise which eidler
annoys, disturbs 01' injures a reasonable peqon(s) of normal sensitivities 01' mdangtD the c0m
fort, repose, beaJdl. peace, safety 01' welfare of the public within the town limits.
h has been furIIu ddt:.huinm., any personCs) in lawful possession allowing their properly to be
used. by anodJer person, who after' notice of noise disturbance by said user, allows, t:-" Illits, 01'
fails to take affirmative action to prevent repeated vioIabons, shall be eteunM to be pmmoaing 1be
use of a COIJJIIleIcial estabIisbment 01' dwelling unit fOl' disorderly 01' odIer disruptive conduct
proscribed by this ordioanre. This is to include 1be sIrucIUre, and the lands and ways, if any.
421-3. SPF.CIFIC ACfS PROIllBITED
) Any sound system day or night, operated in such a way 80 IS to annoy or disturb the ~
comfort or I'q)OIe of any penon in the same or other' structure, or 00 the same or other' property.
It may not be operated in such a manner 1bat is louder than reasonably necessary for convenient
bearing by the pmIOIl(s) who are in the J'OOID, vebicle, charnbN', or outdoor area.
) The openbon of a machine, vehicle, or device in such a manner IS to be plainly audible or un
reasonably loud to a reasonable penoo(s) of normal sensitivities at a «ti8tance greater 1ban 50 feet
from the device if located outside a building; or 50 feet from the IMnlding if the device is located
inside of it.
) To operate a sound system in a motor vebicJe or 00 a bicycle at an e.Ia:ssive noise level.
) To openfe a motor vehicle which causes e.Irossive noise levels as a result of a defective 01'
moctified exhallst sys&em or tmnecessary engine revving.
) YeJling, shouting, or singing at such volume IS to be plainly and disturbingly audible to the
human ear outside said premises, lands and ways.
) The blowing of any hom, whistle or signal device, except IS a dangel' signal. for an uoreasonabJe
and t~period of time.
) Making any offensive, obscene, coarse or profane utterance to aoodIer' penoo(s), eapeciaIly if
provoking a loud and/or dizudedy response.
) The use of firearms 01' ezplosives 01' similar devices.
) Use of 1nds with exhaust breaking devices "ate Breaks), not to inclllde emergency vehicles.
421-4. NOISE ~ON DEVJ<E)
No penoo(s) shaD cause. suffer, or allow or permit the removal, discoonedion or disabling of
any noise suppression device 01' system which has been installed OIl any noise source device.
421-5. EXCEPTIONS
All types of emergeocy opentioos.
All types of numicipal & tditities' equipment operaaing 00 a pm need service basis.
Any activities where a waiver has been granted by the Town with defined stipulations.
Cbureh bells, chimes, and cariI10ns used for religious or holiday pwposes.
The following actions are permitted between the boom of 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM.
) Loading Operabons
) Coostructioo
)~Vebicles
) Power Equipmmt
) F.meI'gmcy Signal Device Testing
) Yard &. Lawn Maintmance Equipmmt
421~.~ONS
) Police and/or code enforcers are directed. to make impedious in response to complaints about
an alleged. violaboo.
) They have auIbority with the occupant I owner's conaent to mtec and inspert all ple.n:WIes to
help in ddamining if a noise violation is I has taken place.
) If ownedoccupmt fails to allow or refuses free access for inspection, after showing 1bat a
probable cause exists, invedigating ofIicial(s) may petition and obtain an ORB from a court
authorizing access.
421-7. COMPUANCE
Upon good cause by the owuer or respoosible party of any BOise source, police and/or code
enforcers may grant an exemption from penalty after issllance of a warning They may also
allow sufJicimt time if DOOded, not to excood 7 days, for modificatjnns to adJieve compliance..
However, satisfactory progress toward compIimce must be 1Ibown.
-
421-8. ANIMALS (DOGS)
No pemoo.(s) sbaU keep any dog which, by causing frequent 01' long continued noise, sbaU
disturb 1be quiet, comfort 01' repose of 1be neighborbood to such an eDmt as to constitute a
m~ 01' noise violation. Noise includes but is not limited to bading, howling, whines aDd
yelps. Such dogs are declared to be deCriutiItaJ to 1be public health aDd general welfare of
propaty owners in 1be town, while also affecting general property values.
Following a complaint, if finding afkr inspection by police andJoc code enforeers tbal a dog
is aeating a noise disturbance, a certified IdB will be sent to 1be animal's ~ stating the
complaint, the need fOl' complianre within seven ( 7 ) days, and penalties fOl'DOIHxlIDp1iance..
This is oon.WIered to be 1be Warning phase as set forth in VIOIaaions & Penalties of 1be Noise
Ordinance.
If1be OWDeI' fails to alleviate 1be nuisance, 1be Town is authorized to proceed with 1be rest
of 1be Penalty statute as outlined in 1be noise ordinance.
In 1be case of an ~I U8eI' propcity. if afkr 1be Fast Offense. with an owner being made
aware of1be wu's violation, if the problem continues. 1be owner and U8eI' may bod1 be sub
ject to penalty fOl'1be Second and any subsequeot Offemes.
The imposition of any penalty sbaU not excuse 1be violation DCX permit it to oontinue,.
421-9. VIOLATION & PENALTY
Any violation of the provisions of this ordinanre shaD be considered a misdemeanor and
upon conviction shaD be punished as follows togetbfr with court COllIs.
) Fast Offense.--WriUen Warning
) Second Offense.-.Fdty ( $50.00 ) DoDar Fmc
) Third Offense...ODe Hundred ( S 100.00 ) Dollar Fmc
) Fourth 01' any subsequeot Offenses Two Hundred ( $200.00 ) Dollar Fme fOl' each Offense
aDd I 01' iu--isonmerd fOl' a period not to exceed 1hirty ( 30 ) days fOl' each Offense.
At any time if warranted, 1be Blades Police may seize 1be instrument used in violating this
noise ordinance.
In 1be case of an ownerI U8eI' property. if after'1be Fmd. Offense, with an owner being made
aware of 1be user's violation, if 1be problem mntjmlC'S, 1be OWDeI' and U8eI' may bod1 be sub
ject to penalty fOl'1be Second and any subsequeot Offenses.. lAndlords wiD be given written
notificatioo of any noise viobbons inc:urred by 1beir tman1s
» The imposition of any penalty shaD not excuse 1be viobdion nor permit it to continue.
»Nodring in 1his penalty impaim 1be right of any penon(s) to damages or other' relief OIl
account of injuries to pemons or propaty. They may continue with any action or pro
CftIldinp to recover as sudL
421-10. SfATEMENT
In addjtjnn to any renedy set forth in tbis noise onfinance, and berJul8f: 1be purpose of1his
article is to safeguard aDd protect 1be public health aDd im propaly. safety and general welfare,
1beTown is hereby authorized to bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to
enjoin any violation of any provision of 1his ordinance.
Should any section, subBedion. sentmre. clause 01' phrase of this ordinance be declared
invalid by a court of COIIJIl'P*'td jurisdiction, such decisions sbaU DOl affect 1be validity of
this ordinanre in im entirety 01' of any part odu1ban 10 declared to be invalid.
In any situation where a provision of 1his ordinance is found. to be in conflict with any other
Code of 1be Town of Blades, Delaware, 1be more stringent standard sbal1 prevail
This ordinance supercedes any previous article regarding noise disturbances.
I
TOWN OF BLADES
Office of the Mayor and Council
20 West Fourth Street
Blades, Delaware 19973
NOISE ORDINANCE
Adopte d this date , _i:....oL>-".L..;......,.\~I~l/......
?iC5'-"-/.:..d-'='-'-L.C:-._~_.:..._"'_,~
2 00 3,
(J)
Mayor
,'j
,
:,
'I/}' .
~ /'
_yU<YU,I/ /'L.,.j"?~~
Vice-Mayor Russell Joseph
Cpuncilman Joseph McCabe
B. J. Hardin,
,
-J
Id-c"'"
,/
,/ ., /~
,~t
¥
,:
(,...' ,>...
,.
J~li~' A. Chelton, Admin.
Councilman Don Trice
AT'T'EST
,UU::,', CHELTON
cJC;J,RY PUBLIC
"', .',
, :~LAWARE
emir;',;.
,:,: \:FR 9, 200&
(SEAL)