Shh! Updates to noise law in Sea Bright
Adopted revisions set quiet time between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
BY SUE MORGAN
Staff Writer

SEA BRIGHT - The updates to the town's existing noise prevention are not intended to shut down social gatherings where music and talk is kept at a reasonable level, borough officials say.

However, the revisions unanimously adopted by the council at its Aug. 15 meeting do arm local police with the authority to cite anyone clearly disturbing the peace, even if none of their neighbors complain, officials said.

As has been the case all along, the hours between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. are designated as the time frame when "the making, creation, or permitting of any unreasonably, disturbing, or unnecessary noise in the borough of Sea Bright" is prohibited, according to a copy of the adopted ordinance.

The revisions consist mainly of more specific language describing the types of noises that would be considered unneccessary or disturbing particularly if those sounds are "plainly audible at the boundary line of such property," the ordinance states.

One of the outlawed noises detailed in the law's revisions includes "the sounding of a horn on an automobile, motorcycle or other motorized vehicle, except as a warning of danger, and then only for such period of time as is reasonably necessary."

Another is "the playing, using, operating, or permitting to be played, used or operated of any electronic receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph or machine or device for the production or reproduction of sound with louder amplified volume."

Yet another is "the use of any loud speakers, amplifiers or other machines or devices for the producing of sound, which is cast upon a public street for the purpose of commercial advertising or attracting the attention of the public."

Excessively loud barking, jabbering or any other noise made by animals or birds kept as pets is also prohibited by the new language.

Meanwhile, noises associated with landscaping, construction, demolition and repairs are limited to the hours between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, the ordinance states.

The council was prompted to update the law using more specific language when several residents complained at a council meeting earlier this summer that they were disturbed by music emanating from loudspeakers at a nearby beach club, sometimes as late as 10:30 p.m.

During the public portion of the Aug. 15 meeting, some council members reiterated that the revisions are not targeted at any particular business in the town, but a means of giving police the means to enforce the laws already on the books.