Noise ordinances could affect lawn mowers.
A town in Massachusetts and one in Illinois are considering noise regulations that could affect landscapers and residential lawn mowers.
The city council of Attleboro, Massachusetts recently passed an ordinance that would allow police to issue citations to anyone for making noise audible at a distance of 200 feet or in excess of 50 decibels between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. or 70 decibels at all other times, according to the Attleboro Sun Chronicle.
Although the ordinance is intended to crack down on loud car stereos, some residents noted that lawn mowers could exceed the decibel limit. The ordinance makes 14 exceptions for noise, including from church bells, snow blowers and construction equipment.
In Centralia, Illinois, a resident's complaint about noise from lawn mowers before 6 a.m. could result in a ban on lawn mowers in early morning hours.
The city manager in Centralia has proposed banning the use of lawn mowers and other machinery before 7 a.m., according to WJBD radio.
Gas-powered lawn mowers can produce noise at 95 decibels or higher, while noise from electric mowers usually does not exceed 75 decibels.
