Panel approves forwarding noise ordinance draft adding 10 p.m.–7 a.m. quiet hours

Committee members at the Clifton Fire Department meeting on June 15 voted to forward an updated excessive noise ordinance that would create defined quiet hours and broaden what counts as a disturbance.

The presenter described the draft’s principal changes: quiet hours are proposed from 10:00 p.m. through 7:00 a.m., the ordinance expands beyond vehicle noise to explicitly include yelling, chanting, singing and amplified sounds, and it clarifies that the person in control of the property causing the disturbance may be cited. The presenter said the prior ordinance focused narrowly on vehicle noise and that the update aims for clearer, broader definitions.

Members discussed whether quiet hours should be uniform seven nights a week or altered for weekend events; the presenter noted the draft lacked a specific exemptions section but acknowledged that permitted public events such as parades, festivals, concerts and fireworks could be treated as exceptions through permitting language.

A motion to forward the updated noise ordinance to the full council for review passed when members responded "I" or "aye." The committee did not record roll-call votes in the transcript; the draft will next be considered by council staff and members.

The committee did not set an alternate enforcement schedule for weekends in the meeting; staff indicated they can revise the draft to add exemptions or different weekend hours if the council requests further modifications.