City Code, ExplainedBetaPardon our dust while we build this out — expect some changes along the way.

This chapter prohibits noise disturbances in the City of Pottsville — sounds that endanger health or safety, annoy a reasonable person, or damage property — and sets specific rules for construction and vehicle noise.

Who this affects

It affects anyone making noise in the city, including contractors and homeowners doing construction or demolition work, and people repairing or testing motor vehicles, motorcycles, motorboats, or aircraft near residential property.

Key rules

• No person shall make, continue, or cause to be made or continued any noise disturbance.
• Noncommercial public speaking and public assembly activities on public space or public right-of-way are exempt from the general noise disturbance prohibition.
• Construction, drilling, or demolition tools/equipment may not be operated between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, or at any time on Sundays or holidays, if the sound creates a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary.
• The construction-hours restriction does not apply to emergency work or to domestic power tools.
• Repairing, rebuilding, or testing a motor vehicle, motorcycle, motorboat, or aircraft in a way that causes a noise disturbance across a residential real property line is prohibited.
• Enforcement responsibility is shared by the Code Enforcement Officer and the Bureau of Police.

Penalties

Any person violating this chapter shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.) and, in default of payment of fine and costs, be imprisoned not more than ninety (90) days.

Notable and archaic details

• The chapter defines "noise" broadly as any sound that "annoys or disturbs humans or which causes or tends to cause an adverse psychological or physiological effect on humans."
• The definitions section also defines "weekday" specifically as any day Monday through Friday that is not a legal holiday.