The Gate City Town Council is seeking public input on the proposed Noise Ordinance Amendment.  The amendment will include provisions for animals:

Owning, keeping, possessing, or harboring any animal which frequently or habitually howls, barks, meows, squawks, or makes such other noise that is plainly audible across a residential property boundary or through partitions common to two dwelling units within a building to the extent as to constitute a nuisance.

 a. The criminal provisions of this article shall be enforced by the town police department, who may administer measurement procedures, issue orders and regulations with regard to such enforcement. Any person violating any provisions of this chapter, after having once been put on written notice by a police officer or property maintenance official, shall be deemed guilty of a class 4 misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, in addition to court costs, shall be punished by imposing a fine of $50.00 for the first offense, $100.00 for the second offense within a 12-month period, and $150.00 for any subsequent offense within the same 12-month period. Each day the violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such hereunder.

b. Instead of the criminal enforcement of this chapter, the town may bring a suit for injunction, abatement, penalty or other appropriate civil or criminal remedies that may be available to it. Each separate finding of violation of this ordinance shall impose a civil penalty of liability of $250 for the first offense and $500 or subsequent offenses, in addition to court costs.

 If any of our residences would like to speak in favor or against the proposed amendment to the Town’s noise ordinance are encouraged to attend the Public Hearing.  The Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 19th, 2017 at 6:30 PM.

If you would like additional information or have questions, please contact Greg Jones, Town Manager, at (276) 386-3831 or by email:  townmanager@mygatecity.com.

For Immediate Release:

August 11, 2017

Contact:

Greg Jones
(276) 386-3831
Town Manager
townmanager@mygatecity.com