531.08 VEHICLE SOUND DEVICES.

531.08 VEHICLE SOUND DEVICES.

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2025-04 (current)
Sheffield Lake Overview
Codified Ordinances of Sheffield Lake, OH
CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SHEFFIELD LAKE, OHIO
CERTIFICATION
ROSTER OF OFFICIALS
ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 116-84
COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
TABLES OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES OF SHEFFIELD LAKE
CHARTER
PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
PART THREE - TRAFFIC CODE
PART FIVE - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
CHAPTER 501 General Provisions and Penalty
CHAPTER 505 Animals and Fowl
CHAPTER 509 Disorderly Conduct and Peace Disturbance
CHAPTER 513 Drug Abuse Control
CHAPTER 517 Gambling
CHAPTER 521 Health, Safety and Sanitation
CHAPTER 525 Law Enforcement and Public Office
CHAPTER 529 Liquor Control
CHAPTER 531 Noise Control
531.01 DEFINITIONS.
531.02 NOISE DISTURBANCES PROHIBITED.
531.03 SPECIFIC PROHIBITIONS.
531.04 MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE SOUND LEVELS.
531.05 SPECIAL VARIANCES.
531.06 EXCEPTIONS.
531.07 APPLICABILITY.
531.08 VEHICLE SOUND DEVICES.
531.99 PENALTY.
CHAPTER 533 Obscenity and Sex Offenses
CHAPTER 537 Offenses Against Persons
CHAPTER 541 Property Offenses
CHAPTER 545 Theft and Fraud
CHAPTER 549 Weapons and Explosives
CHAPTER 553 Railroads
CHAPTER 557 Watercraft
CHAPTER 561 Weeds and Grass
PART SEVEN - BUSINESS REGULATION CODE
PART NINE - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
PART ELEVEN - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
PART THIRTEEN - BUILDING CODE
PART FIFTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
OH
Sheffield Lake
Codified Ordinances of Sheffield Lake, OH
531.08 VEHICLE SOUND DEVICES.
CHAPTER 531 Noise Control
531.03 SPECIFIC PROHIBITIONS.
   The following acts, and the causing or permitting thereof, are declared to be in violation of this chapter.
   (a)   Air Conditioners. Maintaining any refrigeration machinery or air conditioning, consisting of air compressors or rotating or reciprocating machinery in such a manner as to create noise disturbance across a real property boundary.
   (b)   Construction. Operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling or demolition work between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a real property boundary, except for emergency work of public service utilities or by special variance. This subsection shall not apply to the use of domestic power tools subject to subsection (c) hereof.
   (c)   Domestic Power Tools. Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, lawn or garden tool, lawn mower or similar device used outdoors, other than powered snow removal equipment, outdoors between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.; or on Sunday before the hour of 9:00 a.m.
   (d)   Emergency Signaling Devices. The intentional sounding or permitting the sounding outdoors of any fire, burglar, civil defense alarm, siren, whistle or similar stationary emergency signaling device, except for emergency purposes or for testing, as provided in this section. Testing of a stationary emergency signaling device shall occur at the same time of day each time such a test is performed, but not before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. or the closing time of a commercial establishment, whichever shall occur later. Any such testing shall use only the minimum cycle test time. In no case shall such test time exceed sixty seconds. Testing of the complete emergency signaling system, including the functioning of the signaling device and the personnel response to the signaling device, shall not occur before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. In no case shall such test exceed ten minutes.
      Sounding or permitting the sounding of any exterior burglar or fire alarm or any motor vehicle burglar alarm unless such alarm is automatically terminated within two minutes of activation, or within a reasonable time after notification of activation.
   (e)   Motor Vehicle Horns. The sounding of any horn or other auditory signaling device on or in any motor vehicle on any public right of way or public space, except as a warning of danger.
   (f)   Loading and Unloading. Loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans or similar objects between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a real property boundary.
   (g)   Loudspeaker/Public Address System. Using, operating, or permitting for any noncommercial purpose any loudspeaker, public address system, mobile sound vehicle, or similar device between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a real property boundary.
      Using, operating or permitting the operation of any loudspeaker, public address system, mobile sound vehicle or similar device amplifying sound therefrom on a public right of way or public space for any commercial purpose, without first obtaining a special variance.
   (h)   Places of Public Entertainment. Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier or similar device which produces, reproduces or amplifies sound in any enclosed place of public entertainment at a sound level greater than ninety-five dBA as read with a slow response on a sound level meter at any point which is normally occupied by a customer unless a conspicuous and legible sign is located inside such place near each public entrance, stating "SOUND LEVELS WITHIN MAY CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT".
   (i)   Powered Model Vehicles. Operating or permitting the operation of powered model vehicles so as to create a noise disturbance across a real property boundary or in a public space between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
   (j)   Radios, Television Sets, Musical Instruments, and Similar Devices. Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, or similar device between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a real property boundary, or in such a manner as to create a continuing noise disturbance at fifty feet from such device, when operated in or on a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or motorized bicycle on a public right of way or public space.
   (k)   Vehicle or Motorboat Repairs and Testing. Repairing, rebuilding, modifying or testing any motor vehicle, motorcycle, motorized bicycle or motor boat in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a real property boundary.
      (Ord. 69-91. Passed 7-23-91.)
531.04 MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE SOUND LEVELS.
          (a)    No person shall operate, cause to be operated, or permit on private property any source of sound in such a manner as to create a sound level which exceeds the limits set forth across a real property line, or if the source of noise is from property inhabited by multiple families, then across an imaginary line separating one person's area from another without first obtaining a special variance.
      (1)   Maximum number of decibels permitted from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm - Sixty (60).
      (2)   Maximum number of decibels permitted from 9:00 pm until 7:00 am - Forty (40).
      (3)   Maximum number of decibels permitted for a motor vehicle across a real property boundary for a period not to exceed ten (10) minutes - Eighty-Five (85).
   (b)   No person shall operate, cause to be operated, or permit to be operated on any public property any source of sound in such a manner as to create a sound level which exceeds the limits set forth above without first obtaining a special variance.
   (c)   The sound level limits set forth above shall be exceeded when the noise at any one point in time exceeds any of the above by Five (5) decibels if continuing for more than five (5) minutes.
(Ord. 34-21. Passed 7-13-21.)
531.05 SPECIAL VARIANCES.
   (a)   The Director of Public Safety, or his designated representative, shall have the authority, consistent with this chapter, to grant special variances in writing.
   (b)   The special variance shall specify the times, location, maximum decibels and names of those given the special variance.
(Ord. 69-91. Passed 7-23-91.)
531.06 EXCEPTIONS.
   The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following:
   (a)   The emission of sound for the purpose of alerting persons to the existence of an emergency, emergency vehicle or the performance of emergency work.
   (b)   Organized school related programs, activities or events, or parades or other public programs, activities or events authorized by the Mayor or his designated representatives.
   (c)   Farm machinery within an Agricultural District as defined in Ohio R.C. Chapter 929.
      (Ord. 69-91. Passed 7-23-91.)
531.07 APPLICABILITY.
   Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit conduct prohibited by any other statute, ordinance or regulation or to prohibit the enforcement thereof.
(Ord. 69-91. Passed 7-23-91.)
531.08 VEHICLE SOUND DEVICES.
   (a)   No person shall operate any motor vehicle radio, music player or audio system in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of other persons. The operation of any such sound device at any time in such manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from any vehicle in which it is located shall be prima facie evidence of a violation. Any person charged hereunder shall be advised by the arresting officer concerning the forfeiture provisions for second and subsequent offenses. The officer shall request the violator to sign an acknowledgement that he has been advised concerning forfeiture. If the violator refuses to sign, the officer shall make a written statement that the violator was advised concerning the forfeiture provisions of this offense.
   (b)   Any person found guilty of violation this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
   
   (c)   Forfeiture of sound devices.
      (1)   Upon a second and subsequent offense(s), the sound device used in commission of a violation of this section is hereby declared to be contraband and shall be seized and disposed of in accordance with Section 2933.43 of the Ohio Revised Code.
      (2)   Pursuant to the seizure and forfeiture provision herein, a police officer shall, at the time of issuing a citation for a violation of this section, impound any sound device used in commission of the violation.
      (3)   The Police Department may impound a vehicle for not more than five (5) working days to permit the Police Department or its agents to remove a sound device if the vehicle is owned by the person charged with the violation and the sound device may not be easily removed from the vehicle. Upon removal of the sound device, an impounded vehicle shall be returned to its owner upon payment of the reasonable costs of impounding the vehicle and removing the sound device.
      (4)   The Police Department may dispose of any impounded sound device or, following the procedures for an abandoned vehicle pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4513.61 and 4513.62, any impounded vehicle which has remained unclaimed for a period of ninety (90) days after disposition of the forfeiture action. The seized sound device shall remain in the custody of the police and the Prosecutor shall institute forfeiture proceedings. If the sound device is sold by the Police Department, all proceeds of the sale shall be retained by the City of Sheffield Lake.
         (Ord. 28-04. Passed 6-22-04.)
531.99 PENALTY.
   Any person violating this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(Ord. 69-91. Passed 7-23-91.)

Disclaimer: This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality. American Legal Publishing provides these documents for informational purposes only. These documents should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local legislation. Additionally, the formatting and pagination of the posted documents varies from the formatting and pagination of the official copy. The official printed copy of a Code of Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken.

For further information regarding the official version of any of this Code of Ordinances or other documents posted on this site, please contact the Municipality directly or contact American Legal Publishing toll-free at 800-445-5588.

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Detected legislative history

• Ordinances of Sheffield Lake, OH
• ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SHEFFIELD LAKE, OHIO
• ORDINANCE NO. 116-84
• ORDINANCES OF SHEFFIELD LAKE
• orderly Conduct and Peace Disturbance
• Ord. 69-91
• Ord. 34-21
• ordinance or regulation or to prohibit the enforcement thereof
• ordance with Section 2933
• Ord. 28-04
• Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality
• Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken
• Ordinances or other documents posted on this site, please contact the Municipality directly or contact American Legal Publishing toll-free at 800-445-5588

Imported automatically by MunicipalWiki. The original publisher remains the authoritative source pending legal normalization and verification.