The Town of Fountain Hills is considering a change to the Town’s Noise Ordinance. Our existing Noise Ordinance measures noise at the “property line” and limits noise volume to 69 dB(A) (based on the octave band levels outlined in Zoning Ordinance Section 5.19.A Noise).

The Proposed Noise Ordinance measures noise “30 feet from the sound source” and “at the complainant’s wall of structure” and effectively limits noise volume to 85 dB(A).

Implementing the Proposed Noise Ordinance, as written, would result in a noise limit nearly three times louder than the current limit. The Proposed Noise Ordinance would also be difficult to enforce.

To add perspective, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) requires employers to provide hearing protection to employees exposed to 85 dB(A) levels of noise. Residents of Fountain Hills should not be subjected to noise at such high decibel levels. The proposed Noise Ordinance favors those generating noise (e.g. neighbors or businesses) over the health and general welfare of the town’s residents.

Surrounding communities measure noise levels at the “property line” of the sound source. Paradise Valley limits noise levels to 56 dB(A) and Scottsdale limits noise to 68 dB(A). Decibels are measured on a logarithmic scale. Every 10-decibel increase (e.g. increasing from 56 dB(A) to 66 dB(A) results in a sound level twice as loud. Implementing the Proposed Noise Ordinance, as written, would result in a Fountain Hills noise limit that is nearly eight times louder than Paradise Valley’s limit and nearly four times louder than Scottsdale’s noise limit.

Fountain Hills’ residents deserve a noise ordinance that is easy to understand, enforceable, and comparable to ordinances in neighboring communities. The Proposed Noise Ordinance does not meet these criteria and therefore should not be accepted.