Anyone making too much noise in Sharon could find themselves slapped with a hefty fine or even jailed under the city's new noise ordinance.

The ordinance, which takes effect today, limits the times which "unreasonably loud or raucous" noise can take place and it limits the duration of that noise and where it can occur.

Unreasonable noise is defined in the ordinance as: "Any noise which is so harsh, prolonged, unnatural or unusual in time or place as to occasion unreasonable discomfort to any persons within the neighborhood from which said noises emanate ..."

Violators could be fined up to $500 and/or have to spend 30 days in jail.

Does that mean that you can't mow your lawn without going to court?

"Through the regular course of the business day it's (the ordinance) not going to affect anything like that," Mayor David O. Ryan said. He said citations will be up to the discretion of police. Ryan said he doesn't expect people will be cited unless they are defiant with police.

The ordinance does include provisions such as vehicle horns, signaling devices and non-emergency signaling devices may not sound for more than 10 seconds. The sounds of things like religious worship and ice cream trucks are exempt from the rule.

Anyone with a radio, television, stereos, musical instruments and other devices that are "plainly audible" at a distance of 50 feet could be in violation of the ordinances.

Loudspeakers, amplifiers and public address systems may not be used between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. on weekends and holidays in or adjacent to residential areas.

This rule does not apply to any public performance, gathering or parade for which a permit has been obtained. Anyone who plans to hold an outdoor event or gathering must see the city clerk for a permit. The cost of the permit is $25.

That means Three By The River would have to obtain a permit for their Bike Night festivities. Bike Night is one of the reasons the owners of the downtown Sharon business asked city council in February to adopt the new noise ordinance.

Three By The River was under the noise ordinance guidelines set by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The PLCB's ordinances prohibited any noise that could be heard off of the premises.

Since the city has adopted a new ordinance, Three By The River and other businesses that serve alcohol are no longer under the noise ordinance established by the PLCB.

Ryan said the city's old noise ordinance was very vague and police usually cited someone with disorderly conduct if they were very loud.

"Ordinances never got as technical as they are today," he said.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at:
kgarrett@sharonherald.com