New city noise rules address pets

SANDPOINT — A new noise ordinance adopted earlier this month by City Council members contained a provision for animals creating a noise disturbance.

At the city's Sept. 21 meeting, council members unanimously voted to approve a proposal by City Attorney Scot Campbell to delete an older provision regarding animal disturbance under the City Code that addressed disturbing the peace.

In his written proposal, Campbell said the new ordinance has "measurable times and better definitions for the noise disturbance." He also said officials will be "better able to enforce the new ordinance."

The new provision under City Code, Section 5-2-6-10, says "owning, possessing or harboring any animal which howls, barks, meows, squawks, or makes other sounds continuously for over 15 minutes or intermittently for over 30 minutes and creates a noise disturbance across a real property boundary in a residential zone or in a noise sensitive zone is in violation of this code."

The old provision did not outline a measurable amount of time and included an additional charge that "any such animal may be impounded." 

Penalties for any violation of the new noise ordinance can include an infraction and a fine of up to $100 for the first offense, a fine of up to $300 for the second offense, and three or more violations of the ordinance may result in a misdemeanor charge.

The new noise ordinance was adopted to address amplified speech issues within city limits — particularly at Farmin Park where anti-abortion protesters sparked a series of complaints by Farmers Market vendors and visitors. It also addresses issues such as construction noise and clearly defines terms such as "noise disturbance" and "clearly audible."