This photo from May shows construction of I-69 bridges over Indian Creek and Breeden Road. Staff photo by Jeremy Hogan
BLOOMINGTON — Friday, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners approved a new county noise ordinance, which limits the amount of noise that can be made between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. along with noises made by vehicles.
The new ordinance says it is illegal for a noise to be audible 50 feet or more from its source during those hours with some exceptions, including emergency and law enforcement situations, airport operations and annual festivals.
During the day, noise from construction is permitted, but for any work after 10 p.m., a special permit would need to be obtained from the board of commissioners.
“My view is this can capture anything that we haven’t anticipated,” said board president Patrick Stoffers, as he offered that particular amendment to the ordinance.
Commissioners have received requests to tighten the county’s noise ordinance, which the stricter regulations are attempting to do, although they are not stricter than what other local governments have put into place.
County highway director Bill Williams said that the permit portion of the ordinance mimics what the city of Bloomington has in place, and that the county highway department went through the process when working on a bridge project.
“It’s totally discretionary; it doesn’t compel us to say yes or no,” Stoffers said of the permit clause.
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