Noise Ordinance Changes

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knobs from an amplifier are displayed to symbolize amplified noise

City Council Approves Change to Noise Ordinance

Daytime hours have been added to address unreasonable daytime noise resulting from amplified sound in residential neighborhoods

BOULDER, Colo.City Council approved a change to a current ordinance about unreasonable noise at a public hearing on Thursday, Sept. 1, effective immediately. Currently,BRC 5-9-6 Unreasonable Noise Prohibited Between the Hours of 11 p.m. Through 7 a.m. prohibits amplified sound from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and uses the measurement of 100 or more feet beyond the property line where the loudspeakers are located in a residential district.

The change expands the noise ordinance by adding daytime hours, 7 a.m. through 11 p.m. with a measurement of 200 or more feet beyond the property line of the property where the loudspeakers are located in a residential district. The changes do not apply to commercial areas.

The different measurement reflects the different expectations of daytime noise. This change is meant to address unreasonable daytime noise resulting from amplified sound in residential neighborhoods throughout the city. This does not impact other noise-related code, such as that found in BRC 5-9-3 Exceeding Decibel Sound Levels Prohibited. Daytime noise is already a violation under this ordinance.

The changes to the ordinance provide an objective way to enforce a violation – through a measure of distance. Current ordinances that govern daytime noise require a decibel reader and special officer training,” said Deputy City Attorney Sandra Llanes. We also wanted to provide an option to enforce a violation without a complaint call to relieve some pressure off neighbors who experience loud amplified noise during the day.”


The change was a recommendation from the Hill Revitalization Working Group (HRWG) which consists of members representing city staff (Neighborhood Services, Boulder Police Dept., City Attorney’s Office, Municipal Court., and Planning and Development Services), University of Colorado staff (Student Affairs, Office of Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations, Sorority and Fraternity Life, Restorative Justice, Community and Local Government Affairs); The Boulder Area Rental Housing Association (BARHA); University Hill Neighborhood Association (UHNA) and student leaders.



City Council Approves Change to Noise Ordinance

Daytime hours have been added to address unreasonable daytime noise resulting from amplified sound in residential neighborhoods

BOULDER, Colo.City Council approved a change to a current ordinance about unreasonable noise at a public hearing on Thursday, Sept. 1, effective immediately. Currently,BRC 5-9-6 Unreasonable Noise Prohibited Between the Hours of 11 p.m. Through 7 a.m. prohibits amplified sound from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and uses the measurement of 100 or more feet beyond the property line where the loudspeakers are located in a residential district.

The change expands the noise ordinance by adding daytime hours, 7 a.m. through 11 p.m. with a measurement of 200 or more feet beyond the property line of the property where the loudspeakers are located in a residential district. The changes do not apply to commercial areas.

The different measurement reflects the different expectations of daytime noise. This change is meant to address unreasonable daytime noise resulting from amplified sound in residential neighborhoods throughout the city. This does not impact other noise-related code, such as that found in BRC 5-9-3 Exceeding Decibel Sound Levels Prohibited. Daytime noise is already a violation under this ordinance.

The changes to the ordinance provide an objective way to enforce a violation – through a measure of distance. Current ordinances that govern daytime noise require a decibel reader and special officer training,” said Deputy City Attorney Sandra Llanes. We also wanted to provide an option to enforce a violation without a complaint call to relieve some pressure off neighbors who experience loud amplified noise during the day.”


The change was a recommendation from the Hill Revitalization Working Group (HRWG) which consists of members representing city staff (Neighborhood Services, Boulder Police Dept., City Attorney’s Office, Municipal Court., and Planning and Development Services), University of Colorado staff (Student Affairs, Office of Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations, Sorority and Fraternity Life, Restorative Justice, Community and Local Government Affairs); The Boulder Area Rental Housing Association (BARHA); University Hill Neighborhood Association (UHNA) and student leaders.



Consultation has concluded
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    Are there any plans to reduce/control train horns in Longmont?

    Dan asked over 1 year ago

    The City of Boulder is not able to regulate noise in the City of Longmont. YOu may want to reach out to Longmont's City Cocunil to share your concerns: https://www.longmontcolorado.gov/departments/city-council

    Thanks!