Community Corner

Speak Out: 'Silent Sundays' Noise Policy—Would You Want It?

Do you think instituting a voluntary "Silent Sundays" noise policy in your neighborhood would improve the neighborhood's quality of life?

Imagine: It's Sunday afternoon. You're resting in a lawn chair, in your yard, sipping iced tea and reading a good book. 

Then, all of a sudden, you hear the sound of a leaf blower.

Or, imagine the opposite scenario: You've been working long hours at the office all week. Sunday comes around, and—finally—you have some free time to make your yard look a little nicer. You get out the leaf blower.

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They're both plausible situations, but they don't always co-exist very well.

One resident of Section Three of the Village of Chevy Chase has suggested a voluntary "Silent Sundays" approach, "in which no lawn mowers or leaf blowers or other noisy appliances would be used" on Sundays, reported the June 2012 newsletter, News & Views, of Section Three of the Village of Chevy Chase.

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In Montgomery County, sounds that register—from the nearest receiving property line—more than 65 decibels during daytime hours and more than 55 decibels during nighttime hours are not allowed, and are subject to fines ($500 for the first offense and $750 for the second offense). Daytime hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the week, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays, according to the county website. (The Town of Somerset has some slightly stricter exceptions to the county code.)

A special exception for leaf blowers allows leaf blowers with "an average sound level" under 70 decibels from a distance of 50 feet to be used. (There are also special requirements for electric generators.)

Would you support a voluntary "Silent Sundays" program? Tell us in the comments.



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