Carmel residents now have one less hour in the day to mow their lawns without breaking city code.
The city council unanimously approved several amendments to the sound ordinance Sept. 17, including changing the approved hours for lawn mowing or other loud yard maintenance to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Previously, it was allowed to start an hour earlier.
The council first discussed the issue in August after council member Laura Campbell said she’d received several complaints from residents about commercial lawn services working in neighborhoods at 8:30 or 9 p.m. Under the amended ordinance, they’ll still be able to do so.
Sounds exempted from the noise ordinance include those from church bell towers and mosque minarets, lawful assemblies on public space between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and construction noise – not including music – between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
An ordinance violation carries a fine of up to $250 on a first offense, $1,000 on a second offense and $2,500 on third and subsequent offenses. The law will go into effect when signed by the mayor.
