Parlier council asks staff to update sign and noise ordinances after complaints and legal review

Council members asked city staff and legal counsel on Jan. 4 to update Parlier’s sign and noise ordinances following resident complaints and a review of the city’s code.

Sign code: The city attorney noted the municipal sign section dates to the 1960s and is sparse; because signs are protected speech, the attorney said the code should be updated to ensure any restrictions follow permissible time, place and manner rules under the First Amendment. Council asked staff to have counsel examine the ordinance and return with a proposed update.

Noise: Several residents raised complaints about amplified music and New Year’s Eve disturbances. Council members said current enforcement sometimes results in events being shut down as early as 7 p.m. and that officers need clearer statutory language and tools (decibel readers) to make consistent enforcement decisions. Staff said the city’s current noise ordinance was updated in February 2019 to mirror Clovis; the Police Chief and staff recommended a public meeting/town-hall and a formal public hearing to build a balanced approach that preserves celebrations (weddings, birthdays) while protecting vulnerable residents’ sleep and health. Council directed staff to draft ordinance changes and bring them back for public process.

The discussion did not result in an immediate ordinance vote. Councilors asked staff to present draft language, specify decibel or other measurable thresholds and schedule community engagement before any ordinance adoption.