New Lower Merion Noise Ordinance: What You Need To Know

ARDMORE, PA – Lower Merion Township recently adopted a new noise ordinance that could affect residential and non-residential property owners. The ordinance was adopted July 19 and contains new regulations on landscaping equipment.

The ordinance allows residential-zoned properties to reach 57 decibels and 52 decibels during the day and night, respectively.

Non-residential properties are limited to 67 and 62 decibels during the day and night, respectively.

Daytime is described as 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and nighttime is 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. in the ordinance.

Violations of the sound level limits could result in fines or penalties up to $1,000 for each offense, the ordinance says.

Township employees plan to issue warning notices for the first 30 days so there is adequate time for residents and business owners to adjust to the new regulations.

All sound measurements will be taken with a measurement instrument as defined in the ordinance.

Numerous exceptions exist in the ordinance, however.

See the extensive list of exemptions below:

• Noises from the lawful operation of motor or utility vehicles; noises created by necessary Township, state or federal government work; and noises created or necessitated by emergency and civil defense activities.
• Noise created by refuse collection services, street sweepers, deliveries, and other similar necessary activities are exempt during certain times as provided in the ordinance in detail. In residential districts, for instance, only during the hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. In non-residential areas, only during the hours between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
• Noise associated with permitted outdoor dining activities located in non-residential areas, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
• Noises created by construction work and the repair and maintenance of any building or property, including landscaping (with strict limits), are exempt from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. However, operation of one piece of landscaping equipment is also allowed Monday through Friday between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (when many residents mow their own lawns).
• Concerts, block parties, graduations, wedding receptions, ceremonies, sporting or recreational activities, carnivals, festivals, or other performances or similar activities (public or private) are exempt, with specific limitations outlined in the ordinance.
• Warning devices operating continuously for three minutes or less, unless it is an emergency, when limits do not apply.
• Noise created by emergency generators during a power outage. The testing of an emergency generator is exempt with specific time limitations found in the ordinance.
• Noise created by the unamplified human voice (if not in violation of the "Peace & Good Order" chapter of the Township Code).
• Noise associated with snow removal activity.
• If background noise levels on a property at the time of a noise complaint are within 5 decibels of the limits in the chart above, then the levels in this chart do not apply, and the noise level may increase by up to 5 decibels over the background sound level, up to a maximum of 75 decibels.

You can see the entire ordinance online here.

Image via Bill Smith, Flickr commons