Noise and Nuisance
Noise Restrictions
- No person shall produce or reproduce sound in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet, and comfort of the neighboring inhabitants.
- Noise of any kind cannot, at anytime, be of louder volume than is reasonably necessary.
- Noise is considered to be unreasonable if it is too loud, prolonged or disturbing for that time of day.
- Excessive yelling, shouting and singing either in the public right of way or on private property between the hours of 11 PM and 7 AM is considered a public nuisance and is subject to the guidelines and penalties of the Noise Restrictions.
- The time of day, decibel levels, and the distance the sound carries are all measures that are used to determine if a violation is occurring.
- Sound may be in violation if it is plainly audible at a distance of 25 feet OR it exceeds limits within the hours of 11 PM - 7 AM Sunday thru Thursday and 12 AM - 7 AM on Friday and Saturday OR it exceeds 70 decibels at any other time. Plainly stated, if the noise can be heard from the public right of way, it is too loud.
- Examples:
- Horns honking
- Dogs barking
- Vehicle exhaust and muffler systems
- Use of construction or motorized equipment
- Loud music and excessive yelling
- Shouting or singing from parties
- Stereos
- Vehicles
Violations of the noise ordinance
- The 1st violation is a minor misdemeanor with fines up to $150 plus court costs
- A 2nd offense committed within the same 12 months, constitutes a 4th degree misdemeanor with fines up to $250 plus costs.
Nuisance Party Ordinance
- Oxford adopted a Nuisance Party Ordinance, Section 509.13, in 2003 to address situations when the police must make repeated appearances at a party due to either complaints from the community or evident unsafe behavior during routine officer patrol. When parties become out-of-control, they are a danger to the health, safety and welfare of all Oxford Citizens.
- Any number of conditions and conduct can lead to nuisance party citations. Monitoring your party for unsafe and out-of-control situations can keep you out of trouble. Some of the events or conditions that can lead to a nuisance party citation are disorderly conduct, noise violations, underage possession, consumption and/or furnishing, illegal use of a controlled substance, littering, public indecency, damage or destruction of property, standing or parking of vehicles that obstruct the free flow of traffic on public streets and sidewalks or that impedes the ability to render emergency services, or any other conduct or condition that threatens injury, inconvenience, or alarm to persons or damage to property.
