HOLMES BEACH – More changes are on the way for the city’s noise regulations with the proposed addition of the term “plainly audible,” a requirement to face noise-producing electronics toward the rental units and a proposition to get a financial bond or some other financial security for unpaid noise citations.
Commissioners discussed the issue of excessive noise in residential communities during a July 27 work session. Despite Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer saying the city’s current ordinance is working and is “a model ordinance” being emulated by other cities, commissioners are considering adding the current regulations to help curtail noise between houses.
One of the things already being used by police and code officers responding to noise violation complaints is “plainly audible.” Commissioners agreed that the term needs to be added to the current noise ordinance for clarification and enforcement.
Tokajer said he’s instructed officers arriving at a noise complaint to judge if the noise being heard would disturb them at night in their home. If so, he said officers can consider the noise complaint valid. Currently, officers use the plainly audible method in addition to noise meters and the seven noise standards already set out in the ordinance when responding to quiet hours noise complaints between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. A motion to use the plainly audible standard during the day failed to achieve a consensus between commissioners.
With increased enforcement, Tokajer said officers have issued more tickets in 2021 than in 2020, with 37 noise citations issued through the end of June. He said officers issued 29 citations all year in 2020.
He added that officers received 330 calls for service for noise issues in 2020 and 164 through June 30 in 2021.
Commissioners agreed to move the first reading of the amended noise ordinance to a future meeting.
Other changes being considered to the city’s noise regulations include a requirement to face a noise-producing device, such as a stereo or boom box, toward the rental unit where it is located to reduce noise to neighboring properties, and the placement of a sign reminding visitors that they’re renting in a residential neighborhood outside by pools. Both changes are under consideration to be added to the city’s vacation rental ordinance.
Commissioners also instructed staff to look into options for obtaining a bond or some other financial security instrument for unpaid noise citations. Thus far, Tokajer said all noise citations issued have been paid. Commissioners agreed they’d like to get out in front of the potential problem of unpaid fines before it becomes an issue.
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