Since You Asked

What time at night do neighbors need to turn off loud music and are retailers permitted to post sandwich board signs on sidewalks outside their stores? What to do about noisy neighbors? We received three inquiries from readers last week – two about Scarsdale's noise ordinance and another concerning free-standing advertising signs posted on Village sidewalks. In order to get answers, we exchanged emails with our new Village Manager Steve Pappalardo and here is what we learned:

From a reader:

Question: Fenway has huge outdoor parties where they let the DJs and bands blast the music so that it reverberates through our whole neighborhood. Latest was Friday night. No one here could sleep. Police said they could carry on until 11pm -- but Fenway seemingly refused to stop until a second police visit after 11:30pm. What is the law, and what's fair?"

Answer from Village Manage Steve Pappalardo: The Police Chief reports that the two calls you refer to are the only ones received to date from Fenway. Last year there were no noise complaints from the club. When PD receives a noise call complaint of this fashion, an officer responds to the source and requests that the music or live band playing volume be reduced. The officer will also drive to the address of the complainant to discuss and listen for themselves from this location to better gauge the volume and level of disturbance. In addition, the patrolman will often return at 11PM to the source to assure that the music stopped or is winding down. This protocol was followed at Fenway on 6/19.

Question: Our neighbors have erected a trampoline in their backyard that is pushed up squarely against the property line. Their children are out there all the time not just playing, but screaming, and our newborn baby cannot nap in either her room our ours, as both face that side of the house. By evening, she and I are both crying with exhaustion! As asking them to please consider the noise level has not worked, is there any village code with regard to setbacks or noise ordinances for screaming during the day?
Thanks so much,
Very tired new parents

Answer: There are no regulations regarding the placement of trampolines on private property but what is described in your email could be considered a violation of Village Code Chapter 205 – Noise. The resident would have to call the Police Department when the problem occurs and they will respond. Of course, in these cases talking to your neighbor is always the best recourse before calling an enforcement agency.

Question: I would love comments and feedback from residents and the village on all the A Frame plastic signs popping up (can't imagine they have permits but maybe they do) at the Five Corners. First, we have a building that does not fit in and now $59 massages signs. The Pet Store now has an open sign, the real estate agency at the old train station has a sign in front etc. ... all huge plastic A frame signs right on the street. No other town around here would allow this."

Answer from Steve Pappalardo: In accordance with the Village Code, advertising signs in commercial districts must be attached to the building . As such these sandwich board signs placed on the sidewalk do not conform and are not permitted. I have asked the Village Engineer to visit the sites tomorrow to speak to the owners and have the signs removed.

Do you have a question? Email us at [email protected] and we'll do our best to get an answer!