OCEAN CITY, Md. - Ocean City is revising its noise ordinance. Noise has been an issue in the town for years and is now cracking down. The town hired an acoustical engineer to determine the current sound levels, and how they can refine it.
Speakers, radios, and shouting people must be limited to 60 to 75 decibels with 60 being a normal conversation level.
"It's a place that noise emanates, and that ambient noise will be there, but we will be better able to refine and determine what levels and what noises are causing a problem and exceeding acceptable decibel levels,” said Mayor Rick Meehan.
Mayor Meehan says there are different decibel readings for different areas of the boardwalk. It’s broken down into the downtown area and north of 12th Street. To measure the noise, the town will use a decibel reader to determine if people or businesses are following instructions.
"We get complaints from businesses about street performers being too loud and they get into noise wars across from each other,” said Meehan.
Some people are ok with tightening of restrictions.
"There have been some altercations of people basically rumbling on the boardwalk and accosting police, I think with that in mind comes a noise factor that could be disturbing to some people,” said Geof Storm.
Some people are calling the ordinance ridiculous.
“I think that you cannot make speech unlawful, any kind of speech. And kids are loud, and people come to Ocean City for vacation, and it's going to be loud and Bethany Beach is quiet. If you want to go where it's quieter go to Bethany Beach,” said Karen Wilkins.
Those who don't follow the ordinance are subject to fines and even jail time.
The mayor says the ordinance will be put in place after the second reading two weeks from now.
The ordinance does not apply to emergency vehicles, contests, parades and events.