Noise Ordinance Revisions Happening Now In February 2019, city staff began analyzing available data and benchmarking case examples to better understand current challenges and opportunities related to excessive noise. In March 2019, the City launched a city-wide survey through Open City Hall that gathers input from citizens to better understand current noise sources and perceptions toward noise in the city. This survey will remain open for citizen input until June 16, 2019. Click here to take the survey (versión en Español aquí). Residents can also fill out a paper copy of the noise survey. Paper surveys in English and Spanish are available at the following recreation centers and libraries: The Linwood Crump Shiloh Center, 121 Shiloh Rd. South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Rd. Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave. Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St. Burton Street Center, 134 Burton St. East Asheville Branch Library, 906 Tunnel Rd. In addition completing the Open City Hall survey (versión en Español aquí), Asheville citizens are encouraged to provide input about their experience with excessive noise using NoiseScore, a free smartphone and tablet app for Androids and iPhones developed by Boston University’s Community Noise Laband Software & Application Innovation Lab (SAIL). Download this free app to measure and map noise in your environment. Results will appear in real time on the live NoiseScore map and be analyzed as part of Noise Ordinance development. To see results on the live NoiseScore map, set the date range between 3/25/19 to today’s date. The NoiseScore app should not be used to file a noise complaint with the City of Asheville. Click here for more information about filing a noise complaint. In April and May 2019, the City will meet with residential neighborhood, business, commercial, and industrial/institutional groups to hear concerns and ordinance recommendations. Meeting times will be posted on this page as they are scheduled. Background As Asheville continues to develop and grow, the City of Asheville recognizes the need to revisit and update the current municipal ordinance governing excessive noise in the City limits (Chapter 10 – Article IV). In 2019, City staff will engage residents, business owners, industrial, and institutional operators in a public process to identify and prioritize noise concerns and develop clear and enforceable thresholds for noise generation. The City of Asheville recognizes the following foundation for noise ordinance development: Excessive noise is a hazard to the public health, welfare, and safety. The community has a right to an environment free from excessive noise that may degrade their quality of life or diminish property values. Noise Ordinance development must prioritize equity as a lens through which to evaluate policy criteria and enforcement action. Noise Ordinance development must balance the reasonable needs of residents and visitors with those of facilities and operations, and recognize that all parties are essential to a thriving local economy. Excessive noise generation can be reasonably addressed through the adoption of a Noise Ordinance that contains clear, enforceable, and effective measures to control noise. Timeline The following timeline is subject to change according to progress of the public engagement process. Changes and updates will be reflected on this project page. Click here for additional timeline details. February 2019 — City staff begins the process of collecting and analyzing available noise data and benchmarking examples of noise ordinances of other municipalities. March 2019 — The City launches a city-wide survey through Open City Hall (versión en Español aquí) Asheville that gathers input from citizens to better understand current noise sources and perceptions toward noise in the city. The survey will remain open for citizen input until June 16, 2019. April – May 2019 — The City holds a series of separate meetings with residential neighborhood, business, and commercial/industrial groups to hear concerns and ordinance recommendations, and review preliminary survey results. Residential Outreach Date/Time Location Residential small group meeting March 3, 4 p.m. Public Works Building, Room A-109 Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods small group meeting March 26, 9 a.m. Public Works Building, Room A-109 Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods monthly meeting April 8, 4 p.m. First Baptist Church, 5 Oak Street Downtown Asheville Residents monthly meeting April 18, 2 p.m. City Bakery, 60 Biltmore Avenue Neighborhood Advisory Committee monthly meeting April 22, 6:30 p.m. City Hall, First Floor Conference Room Neighborhood Association small group facilitated content meeting May 6, 4 p.m. Public Works Building, Room A-109 Residents Noise Ordinance Forum May 16, 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center Business Outreach Date/Time Location Asheville Independent Restaurants monthly meeting April 3, 9 a.m. 27 College Place Asheville Downtown Association monthly meeting April 10, 12 p.m. The Grove Arcade Conference Room Charlotte Street Business Association monthly meeting April 23, 8 am. Taco Temple, 132 Charlotte Street Eagle/Market Street Business Association monthly meeting April 24, 2 p.m. The Block Off Biltmore, 39 S. Market Street West Asheville Business Association monthly meeting April 25, 8:30 a.m. Isis Music Hall, 743 Haywood Road River Arts District Business Association April 30, 4 p.m. FLS Energy, 130 Roberts Street Asheville Independent Restaurants membership meeting April 9, 9 a.m. 27 College Place Buskers group meeting May 14, 8:30 a.m. Public Works, Room A109 Business Noise Ordinance Forum May 15, 8:30 a.m. Chamber of Commerce, Third Floor Board Room Industrial/Construction Outreach Date/Time Location Industrial/Construction Noise Ordinance Forum May 14, 8 a.m. Public Works, Room A109 Additional Meeting Date/Time Location Downtown Commission monthly meeting May 10, 8:30 a.m. City Hall, First Floor Conference Room Public Safety Committee monthly meeting May 23, 11:00 a.m. City Hall, First Floor Conference Room June – July 2019 — The City holds a joint meeting with all groups to review findings, progress, and outstanding concerns (meeting time not yet scheduled). City staff meets with City boards and commissions. City staff compile final results from Open City Hall survey (versión en Español aquí) and begin drafting noise ordinance that incorporates meeting and survey feedback. August 2019 — City staff present draft noise ordinance to City Council for public hearing. Supporting Documents City of Asheville Noise Ordinance Appeals Board City of Asheville Noise Complaint Heat Map Municipal Noise Ordinance Case Examples Noise Ordinance Survey (versión en Español aquí) Noise Score – A Mobile App for Community Noise Issues: Use this free app to measure and map noise in your environment and view results in real time! The Noise Score app should not be used to file a noise complaint with the City of Asheville. Noise Ordinance Update Meeting Notes Notes from the Institutional/Industrial Noise Forum on 5/14/2019 Notes from the Business Noise Forum on 5/15/2019 Notes from the Residents Noise Forums on 5/16/2019 Presentation – Noise Ordinance Update April 2019 Article – ¿Cómo afecta el ruido su calidad de vida? Contact Information Ben Woody, AICP Director, Development Services Department 828-259-5679