Ordinance 07-16

This ordinance updates the City of Bloomington’s Noise Control provisions contained in the Bloomington Municipal Code. In brief, the amendments: Eliminate the complicated sound pressure level limits and measurements found in the current code and introduce a “reasonable person with ordinary sensitivity” standard to provide notice to persons of what constitutes a violation; Consolidate all prohibited noises into just one section, as opposed to two, and craft provisions that clearly address contemporary concerns, including noise from vehicles; Modify existing exemptions, in part, by setting a predictable time for loud construction activities to begin each morning at 6:00 a.m. (rather than at sunrise) and adds new exemptions that cover activities, which are common, necessary or specifically allowed by law; Modify the special permit section, resulting in only one class of special permits issued by the Mayor or his representative, which should not significantly impact or change current practices; and Lastly, escalate fines from $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense, and $500 for the third offense committed within 12 months and direct appeals to the Board of Public Works.