Lawn mower noise - regulations?

Our neighbor is mowing his lawn every Sunday evening. The considerable noise prevents us from enjoying our deck, and we even have to close all windows to have a “quiet” dinner.

Does anybody know what the rules are in Maplewood or where we can find them? Our patience is beginning to wear thin… TIA

https://ecode360.com/9420120

(9) Equipment having constantly running engines.

(a) No enterprise or business, whether for the purpose of home maintenance, lawn care, vehicle maintenance or any similar service, which uses equipment that has a constant running engine producing excessive noise may begin work prior to 7:30 a.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays. All work must be completed on those days by 8:00 p.m. No work shall take place before 11:00 a.m. and must cease by 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Thanks so much! We’ll politely inform them of this and hope they will comply

yahooyahoo said:

https://ecode360.com/9420120

(9) Equipment having constantly running engines.

(a) No enterprise or business, whether for the purpose of home maintenance, lawn care, vehicle maintenance or any similar service, which uses equipment that has a constant running engine producing excessive noise may begin work prior to 7:30 a.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays. All work must be completed on those days by 8:00 p.m. No work shall take place before 11:00 a.m. and must cease by 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Doesn't apply to homeowners." No enterprise or business"

tinboy said:

Doesn't apply to homeowners." No enterprise or business"

I found it confusing when reading the ordinance.  It does mention "whether for the purpose of home maintenance..."

Leaf blowers are more regulated than lawn mowers.

yahooyahoo said:

I found it confusing when reading the ordinance. It does mention "whether for the purpose of home maintenance..."

Home maintenance being the purpose of the enterprise or business. In other words, no home maintenance business, no lawn care business, no vehicle maintenance business …

It seems like every year the din of the commercial landscapers mowing and trimming increases. Absurdly, landscapers are now using huge riding lawn mowers--even on small lots--and driving them down the street to homes a block away. This past week our new next door neighbor hired a landscaper that uses these riding mowers. As it passed between our homes my house shakes!!! 

yahooyahoo said:

I found it confusing when reading the ordinance.  It does mention "whether for the purpose of home maintenance..."

 That pertains to landscapers not homeowners maintaining their own property.  

tpb said:

Our neighbor is mowing his lawn every Sunday evening. The considerable noise prevents us from enjoying our deck, and we even have to close all windows to have a “quiet” dinner.

Does anybody know what the rules are in Maplewood or where we can find them? Our patience is beginning to wear thin… TIA

When it comes to lawncare, many homeowners exhibit compulsive behaviors in their passion to degrade the environment in pursuit of the "perfect" biological wasteland known as the suburban lawn.  Please approach this neighbor with caution.

You can find the entire municipal code here:  https://ecode360.com/MA1203

Thanks again for all the comments and suggestions.  We called the town hall (code enforcement) and they confirmed that the times also apply to home owners!  

They promised to send the neighbors a note, let’s see what happens next

tpb said:

Thanks again for all the comments and suggestions.  We called the town hall (code enforcement) and they confirmed that the times also apply to home owners!  

They promised to send the neighbors a note, let’s see what happens next

 I am glad you are getting assistance... but why isn't "homeowner" specifically included in the ordinance? Maybe it is a loose interpretation of "enterprise."

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

 I am glad you are getting assistance... but why isn't "homeowner" specifically included in the ordinance? Maybe it is a loose interpretation of "enterprise."

Looking at the code posted by Joan, my guess is that the town would have a hard time enforcing in court the interpretation quoted above. The general noise provision 181-1 separates "person"  from "business establishment" which suggests that when the code later specifically references "business establishment" it is talking about "business establishments" and not "persons." The noise rules for "persons" are more tolerant than those for "business establishments."

Also not clear is whether. in referring to noise by a "business establishments" or "enterprise," the noise prohibited during specified hours -  "constant running engine producing excessive noise"  - would apply to a typical hand push lawn mower.  It seems to refer more to generators and self propelled power mowers that lawn companies use.  

i am guessing there is another code specifically for homeowners doing work on their own property.  but what if you do if you work 12 hours/day/ 6.5 days per week and Sunday night is the only time you have to mow>  (not that many people are in that situation, but I do actually know a person who worked 12-16 hour days/7 days a week until recently.  He did if for years (he is in an apartment so mowing isn't an issue for him).

I have mowed my lawn after 6 on a Sunday. It's not my preference but other commitments on the weekends as well as weather constraints sometimes make it my only choice. 

This discussion raises the old questions about what is reasonable to expect when living in a town with a fairly dense grouping of many single-family homes. We certainly all have rights as property owners but we also need to be cognizant of the needs of our neighbors. Are we entitled to silence at some point on Sunday? 

mrincredible said:

I have mowed my lawn after 6 on a Sunday. It's not my preference but other commitments on the weekends as well as weather constraints sometimes make it my only choice. 

This discussion raises the old questions about what is reasonable to expect when living in a town with a fairly dense grouping of many single-family homes. We certainly all have rights as property owners but we also need to be cognizant of the needs of our neighbors. Are we entitled to silence at some point on Sunday? 

 I’ve often argued that it would be a helluva lot easier to have some peace around here if we created zones for these noise-makers. Certain days for the landscapers to visit different neighborhoods. Homeowners who do their own would be encouraged to do their work on those days, but not compelled.

A tougher issue here is that we are talking about neighbors.  There is no more important part of homeownership than getting along with neighbors.  Everyone needs to bend a little for others.  I hate the idea of calling for enforcement before talking over a fence.

jimmurphy said:

 I’ve often argued that it would be a helluva lot easier to have some peace around here if we created zones for these noise-makers. Certain days for the landscapers to visit different neighborhoods. Homeowners who do their own would be encouraged to do their work on those days, but not compelled.

A really sensible suggestion. Its annoying to hear lawn work just about every day on somebody's property. 

If they can set hours they should be able to set days based on zones. Five zones, weekdays. Giving us peace and quiet most days of the week.

What about the enhanced hour restriction for Sundays? Because Sunday is the Sabbath for some? Family day? What about those who Sabbath on Saturday?

Unfortunately Sunday afternoon/evening is my dedicated yard time, thankfully my neighbors dont have a problem with it.