Tuesday, March 28, 2000
Nighttime noise levels restricted
Deerfield Twp. to issue $100 fines
BY KEVIN ALDRIDGE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DEERFIELD TWP. — Excessive noise is the target of a new law passed in this fast-growing township of about 20,000.
Trustees recently flexed some of the new legislative muscle granted to them through home rule by passing a resolution that restricts “excessive noise” during nighttime. Because Deerfield has become so urbanized, township officials say, restrictions on excessive noise are necessary to protect residents' rights.
“We haven't had too many complaints about excessive noise,” said Township Administrator Hazel Dotson. “While Deerfield Township is generally known as a quiet community, the trustees did want to have something on the books for those who abuse the rights of others.”
Under the new law, no person or business is allowed to make excessive, continuous noise between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Excessive noise is defined as noise or sound that “causes inconvenience and annoyance to persons of ordinary sensibilities.”
"Preventive step'
The new law covers loud noise from construction sites near residential neighborhoods, as well as noise from electronic devices, cars and engines. Violators are subject to a $100 fine.
“It's not going to be something that we send our police officers out to search for purposely,” said Dan Theno, Deerfield's administrator of development and community relations. “This is more of a preventive step. Basically, it will probably be enforced primarily through complaints by residents.”
Mr. Theno said the noise resolution is the first of its kind passed in Deerfield Township under the limited form of self-government, known as home rule. Under home rule, trustees have limited authority to pass laws in the unincorporated township.
Home rule
Specifically, home rule gives townships authority to adopt sanitary regulations, start police departments and form water and sewer districts. Townships also may pass curfew restrictions for minors, pass nuisance and public safety regulations, institute emergency traffic and parking ordinances, and restrict or expand the use of township facilities.
“Home rule gives townships additional authority to create laws that help protect the health, safety and welfare of its citizens,” said Mr. Theno. “The home rule option allows larger townships to better address more urban issues.”
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