Southold Town board passes noise ordinance

The Southold Town board on Tuesday unanimously passed its first noise ordinance, which allows town police to use decibel-reading devices to measure sound volume.

Under the law, noise levels from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on weekdays cannot exceed 65 decibels. From 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. during the week, that level falls to 50 decibels. On Fridays and Saturdays, the allowed noise level from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. is 65 decibels, and from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., the allowed level is 50 decibels.

A washing machine or air conditioner has a level of 50 to 75 decibels; an airplane taking off registers 140 decibels, according to the town.

Southold is the last Long Island town to enact noise restrictions. Fines for violating the law range from $500 to $2,500.

“The calls for noise ordinance has been far and wide,” Supervisor Scott Russell said.