Re-examining Lexington’s Noise Ordinance
Update:
At the Social Services & Public Safety (SSPS) Committee meeting last week, the Committee heard a presentation from District 3 Councilmember LeGris and her Aide Hannah Eiden about different ways Lexington could improve the City’s noise ordinance and enforcement practices.
LPD Assistant Chief Brian Maynard answered questions from Council on how enforcement is currently handled on what steps could be taken. Maynard shared that most noise complaints and disputes are solved on-site through conversations with community members. Complaints concerning vehicles are hard to enforce, as vehicles are usually gone by the time the Police arrive.
One solution discussed were devices tracking decibel levels of vehicles, but it is unclear whether or not decibel trackers are prohibited under Kentucky State Law.
Though no action was taken at this meeting, SSPS Chair Councilmember Reynolds discussed meeting with Councilmember LeGris about creating a subcommittee to study these options further.
The Social Services & Public Safety meeting will hear a presentation from 3rd District Legislative Aide Hannah Eiden on Lexington’s current Noise Ordinance and its enforcement.
Generally speaking, Lexington’s noise ordinance prohibits loud disturbances across the city between 11pm and 7am.
Last year, almost 6,000 noise disturbance calls were made to LPD. Over 3,000 were investigated and only 33 citations were given.
The presentation will compare our Noise Ordinance to 5 other similar cities, and will propose steps for Council and LFUCG to review and potentially revise the ordinance.
You can view the presentation here. The Social Services & Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 1:00 pm in Council Chambers. You can attend in person or watch live on LexTV.
