Hey 10564

Read this?

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt_and_politics/article_8a112a48-3225-11df-b34f-001cc4c03286.html

Crank it up! Madison considers noise permits for private property

Crank up the volume!

Legally.

Ald. Bridget Maniaci, 2nd District, is proposing to create a Madison city permit that would let residents on private property play loud music or even have a band for a party or wedding for a few hours if they notify and get permission from neighbors.

"It's a problem I've heard a lot about," she said. "It's something constituents have asked me to work on."

Tobi Silgman, a Madison real estate agent, said police ticketed her for excessive noise in 2008 after she held a neighborhood party with live bands in her backyard on the 800 block of E. Gorham St. She said she would support Maniaci's proposal.

"I realize there may need to be a time limit, but there's no reason I can't play music in my backyard on a Saturday afternoon," Silgman said.

Currently, police respond to noise complaints and can write tickets if music is too loud because it's illegal to "unreasonably disturb the peace," or make excessive noise with a radio, stereo or other electronic device.

The police have received more than 1,500 noise complaints annually in the Central District alone since 2007, police records show. The police issued 167 tickets in 2007, 240 in 2008 and 211 last year.

A ticket can cost $177 if uncontested and between $82.50 and $681 if it goes to court. With the help of a neighbor who is a lawyer and who attended her party, Silgman said she successfully fought the fine but was placed on probation and used an iPod to play music at her party last year.
Even if residents get approval from neighbors to hold a party or event, they can still get a ticket if someone complains because the city has no noise amplification permit for private property, Maniaci said.

Under Maniaci's proposal, a resident or property owner would have to apply for a permit at least 10 days before an event and deliver a petition with the signatures of an adult living in at least 75 percent of the dwelling units within 700 feet of the property.

The permit would allow loud music or sound between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and a hour later on weekends. It would be valid for a single date and for no more than three hours.

"Things stretching late into the night, that's not reasonable," Maniaci said.

The applicant would have to notify all commercial and residential units within 700 feet at least 48 hours of the event.

The permit wouldn't have an allowable decibel level. Instead, noise from the event could not be plainly audible 400 feet away.

The proposal would prohibit multiple permits for similar locations and times and multiple permits within 90 days.

"The goal of this is not to have it so people are taking out a permit every weekend," Maniaci said. "It's supposed to be for events."

Despite the restrictions, the permit would benefit those holding backyard block parties, weddings, fraternity or sorority events, or annual events like the Mifflin Street block party, she said.

"It brings neighborhoods together to work on an event collaboratively, and it will facilitate communication within neighborhoods," she said.

The police would be responsible for enforcing Maniaci's proposal. Those violating the permit would face the same penalties as under the regular noise ordinance. Police officials did not return calls seeking comment.


Not sure if I'm willing to call BS on this yet, but it does fall into the catergory of "nonsense." Bad for us noiseheads, but a bit more reasonable and clearer than the past system, it seems.

DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE

I would put on basement shows every 90 days XD

I'm going to eat the law.

MUka, that new avatar is badass!

Teee, thanks c:

I had a little too much fun playing with my webcam's features last night!

it reminds me of the zombies from deicide's video for "homage for satan"