2024 12 03 Board Approves Noise Control Amendment to Ordinance

DECEMBER 3, 2024

FRESNO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVES NOISE CONTROL
AMENDMENTS TO ORDINANCE CODE

FRESNO, CA - Today, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors conducted a first hearing and unanimously approved to amend the Ordinance Code of Fresno County, Title 8, Chapter 8.40, "Noise Control." The proposed amendments will make the more serious violations of the ordinance a misdemeanor and institute a civil fine regimen as an alternative to, or in addition to, prosecution for misdemeanor violations.

The countywide amendments will empower the Fresno County Sheriff, Code Enforcement, and other enforcement officers designated by the County Administrative Officer to authoritatively enforce the Ordinance Code.

The amendments to the ordinance code include the following:

1. Makes more serious violations a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine not to exceed $1,000.
2. Institutes a civil fine structure including fines of $250 for the first offence, $500 for the second offence within six months, and $1,000 for the third offence within six months, and provides an appeal process and collection of these fines.
3. Makes the refusal or failure of a person who is not a resident of the particular property on which the noise violation exists to leave a gathering, party, concert, or event that is in violation of the noise ordinance when instructed to do so by a law enforcement officer a separate violation of the ordinance subject to prosecution as a misdemeanor or civil fine as provided in the ordinance.
4. Provides that all other legal remedies, whether suit for abatement of nuisance, injunctive relief, or under other remedies under State law may be pursued in addition to the misdemeanor prosecution or civil fines provided for in the amended ordinance.

"The Sheriff and I brought this item to the Board due to increasing and countless complaints from residents who contend with noise issues, especially in the rural areas. This amended ordinance provides real and strong consequences to offenders," stated Chairman Nathan Magsig (District 5).