ACK NOISE ORDINANCE

Click here to access Nantucket's Noise Ordinance (Chapter 101 of the Nantucket Code).

Day-time Restrictions:
With limited exceptions, it is unlawful to project a sound or noise that exceeds the limitations set forth in Nantucket's "Noise Tables" between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. (7:30 a.m. and and 10:00 p.m. between June 15th and September 15th). Chapter 101-2 and 101-4. 

Night-time Restrictions:
With limited exceptions, it is unlawful for any person or persons, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (7:30 a.m. between June 15th and September 15th), "to create, assist in creating, cause or suffer or allow any excessive, unnecessary, loud or unusual noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the reasonable quiet, comfort, repose or the health or safety of others" where the noise is plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet from the building, structure, vehicle or premises in which or from which it is produced." Chapter 101-1.A-B.

Exceptions include:

• Construction noise (must stop at 8 pm instead of 10 pm) (Amendment at April 2019 Town Meeting);
• Noise emanating from cars, trucks and other vehicles (day time);
• Unamplified human voice (day time);
• Loading and unloading building materials, trash cans, dumpsters and similar objects (allowed to begin at 6:00 a.m.);
• Noise resulting from safety signals; warning devices; emergency and maintenance work performed by the Town, State or public utility company; bells and chimes used for religious purposes; and activities permitted by law or for which a permit has been granted.

Privet Hedges

Let's face it. With the growing number of houses in 'Sconset and the widespread installation of privet hedges, the noise from pruning has become an almost constant irritant during the summer. Here are some ways that you can help.

• If your lot is large enough, plant an alternative to privet that doesn't require pruning. There are many attractive alternatives available and think of the money you'll save in the long run!

Did you know that privet hedges aren't even native to Nantucket, are highly invasive, and don't attract as many birds and butterflies as some of the alternatives? 

• If you just want to mark your border, consider installing  a split rail or picket fence instead of privet.  

Look around and you'll see that both of these type of fences are all around the village. 

• If you have privet, please consider reducing the height of your hedge. The lower the hedge, the less time it will take to prune! In some instances, public safety is also at stake.
  

Did you know that privet hedges in 'Sconset were historically only three or four feet high?      

For corner lots, the Code of Nantucket (Chapter 132-1) and the Town Encroachment Policy (Section VI) actually restrict the height of hedges to three feet high for a certain distance from the corner for public safety reasons. The Town Encroachment Policy adopts the same height restriction for a certain distance from driveways on ALL lots on public roads.

• If you have privet, please also consider: 
• Having it pruned the minimum number of times necessary, ideally not in July or August or on weekends, so we can all enjoy a respite from the landscape noise when the village is at its most populated.
  
  
• Using (or insisting that your landscaper use) an electric or battery powered hedge trimmer, which is quieter that a gas powered trimmer.
  
  
• Coordinating with your neighbors to have all the hedges in your area pruned during the same period.

Other Landscaping Noise

Electric and battery powered blowers, mowers, and edgers are now available that are quieter than the gas powered alternatives. Please use or insist that your landscaper use these out of consideration for your neighbors.

Let's make 'Sconset a No Drone Zone to protect all of us from an unnecessary and annoying source of noise pollution.

What can you do on an individual level? Don't allow your family members and guests to use drones in 'Sconset. If you rent your house, adopt a "no drone rule" for your renters.

Your neighbors will be SO grateful!