[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Parma 4-2-2002 by L.L. No. 1-2002. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Blasting — See Ch. 19.
Public assembly — See Ch. 108.
Off-road vehicles — See Ch. 153.
The making and creating of disturbing, excessive or offensive noises within the jurisdictional limits of the Town of Parma is a condition which has persisted, and the level and frequency of occurrences of such noises continues to increase. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Town Board of the Town of Parma to prevent any unreasonable, loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise. These noise levels are a detriment to the public health, comfort, convenience, safety and welfare of the residents of the Town of Parma. Every resident is entitled to an environment in which disturbing, excessive or offensive noise is not detrimental to his or her life, health or enjoyment of his or her property. This chapter is to be construed liberally, but it is not intended to be construed so as to discourage the enjoyment by residents of normal, reasonable and usual activities.
For the purpose of this chapter, the terms used herein are defined as follows:
PERSON
Any individual, firm, association or corporation, whether such person is the owner, lessee or charter member, its servants, agents or employees and/or their guests.
SOUND DEVICE OR APPARATUS
Any radio device or apparatus or any device or apparatus (or the amplification of sounds from any radio, phonograph or other sound-making or sound-producing device or any device or apparatus for the reproduction or amplification of the human voice or other sounds.
TO USE OR OPERATE ANY SOUND DEVICE OR APPARATUS IN, ON, NEAR OR ADJACENT TO ANY PUBLIC STREET, PARK OR PLACE
To use or operate or cause to be used or operated any sound device or apparatus in front of or outside any building, place or premises or in or through any window, doorway or opening of such building, place or premises abutting on or adjacent to any public street, park or place where the sounds therefrom may be heard upon any public street, park or place or from any stand, platform or other structure or from any airplane or other device used for flying, flying over the Town or in any boat or on the waters within the jurisdiction of the Town or anywhere on or in the public streets, parks or places.
UNNECESSARY
That which is not required by usual circumstances.
USUAL
The normal noise range for a particular type of vehicle or mechanism.
A. 
No person, with the intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, shall cause, suffer, allow or permit to be made unreasonable noise. For the purpose of this chapter, unreasonable noise is any disturbing, excessive or offensive sound that disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities.
B. 
The following acts, among others, by any person are declared to be prima facie evidence of a violation of this chapter. This enumeration shall not be deemed exclusive.
(1) 
Any unnecessary noise from any source which is of such character, intensity and duration as to be detrimental to the life or health of any individual or contrary to public welfare, especially between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day.
(2) 
Noise from a dog or other pet/animal that is continuously disturbing the comfort and repose of any person in the vicinity and exceeds 15 minutes.
(3) 
The use of any automobile, motorcycle or vehicle so out of repair or so loaded or operated in such a manner as to create loud and unnecessary noise; the making of improper noise or disturbance or operating an automobile or motorcycle in such a manner as to cause excessive squealing or other excessive noise of the tires.
(4) 
Noise from a burglar alarm or other alarm system of any building, motor vehicle or boat which is continuous and exceeds 15 minutes.
(5) 
Noise from any sound reproduction system, operating or playing any radio, portable radio, tape player, television, tape deck or similar device that reproduces or amplifies sound in such a manner as to be heard 40 feet from its source or over any property line.
(6) 
The erection, including excavation, demolition, alteration or repair, of any building other than between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., except in cases of public safety or emergencies.
(7) 
The operation of power equipment in residential zones outdoors between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 am. the following day and on weekends between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. the following day.
(8) 
The sounding of any horn or signaling device of an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle for any unnecessary or unreasonable period of time.
(9) 
Offering for sale anything by shouting or outcrying upon the public. The use and operation of sound devices and apparatus for commercial or business advertising purposes are prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to use or operate or cause to be used or operated any sound device or apparatus in, on, near or adjacent to any public street, park or place for commercial or business advertising purposes.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following acts:
A. 
The emission of sound for the purpose of alerting persons to the existence of an emergency.
B. 
Noise from Town-sponsored celebrations or events.
C. 
Noise from non-Town-sponsored events which have been authorized by the Town Board of the Town of Parma.
D. 
The operation or use of any organ, radio, bell chimes or other instrument, apparatus or device by a church, synagogue or school licensed or chartered by the State of New York.
E. 
Noise generated by the installation and maintenance of utilities.
F. 
Noise generated by any use from commercial- or industrial-zoned property which existed prior to the adoption of this chapter. However, if said use is terminated, abandoned or discontinued for a continuous period of six months, then said use shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.
G. 
Noise from emergency construction for which a permit has been issued by the Town Code Enforcement Officer.
H. 
Noise generated from any activity occurring in response to, or as a result of, an emergency power failure, including but not limited to the operation of generators.
I. 
Noise generated by usual farm and agricultural activities on properties of five acres or greater, including but not limited to field cash crops, pasturage, fruit and vegetable farms, nurseries and animal and poultry husbandry.
[Amended 11-3-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]
J. 
The discharge of legal firearms for legal purposes.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation and shall be subject to community service and/or a fine of not less than $50 and not to exceed $250 for each offense. The Town may also seek injunctive relief to prevent the continued violation of the law.