Noise committee sets tonal threshold, refers vibration for study
Rules and Ordinances Committee set tonal threshold, removed animal exemptions in noise ordinance. The committee voted unanimously to establish a 5 dbA threshold for tonal noise and to remove exemptions for domestic animals on residential or commercial property.
City Council_ Committee on Rules and Ordinances · Meeting of May 5, 2026
WATERTOWN — Rules and Ordinances Committee set tonal threshold, removed animal exemptions in noise ordinance. The committee voted unanimously to establish a 5 dbA threshold for tonal noise and to remove exemptions for domestic animals on residential or commercial property. Councilor Nicole Gardner chaired the meeting advancing a comprehensive ordinance revision.
The committee also voted unanimously to recommend the City Council refer vibration regulation to the Rules & Ordinances Committee for further study, with Public Health Director Abbey Myers expressing concerns that vibration detection requires specialized measurement equipment and staff expertise unavailable in-house.
In the full story:
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Source: the City Council_ Committee on Rules and Ordinances meeting of May 5, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
Checked against the official minutes.
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