Town Clarifies Noise Ordinance

Huntington Town Attorney Cindy Mangano clarified amendments to the Town's noise ordinance passed Tuesday, saying that they are targeted to better enforce noise violations at large gatherings.

Mangano said the amendment targets people having a special event, which she defined as "something like a large party with 50 to 100 people or more" featuring amplified music.  
"What was happening was that someone like the DJ would go and get the permit and the police would be called and no one could be found to be held responsible for the party," she said. "Now we're holding the property owner responsible as well as the person who applied for the permit."

Although what constitutes a special event is not specifically denoted in the amended code, Mangano said it is implicit in what is required in obtaining a permit.

Mangano said the amended code is not intended to target small backyard parties and the like where noise is kept at a reasonable level. A list of exemptions from permit requirements were included in the amended code, including an exemption for people using an amplified sound device for "personal use," providing the noise is at a reasonable level. 

The full amended version of the legislation passed on Tuesday is attached to this article as a PDF.