Noisy Neighbors: Official breaks down city noise ordinance

SALISBURY, Md. – Joe Schiaffino said he and his wife lead a quiet life at their Salisbury home. Well, mostly quiet.

He explained how loud it can get right around dinner time.

“Once or twice a week I have several neighbors that have landscapers come, and there are two or three guys with gas blowers that are blowing for 30 minutes, 40 minutes at a time,” said Joe.

Those leaf blowers are so loud, Joe said they distract him from work and sometimes prevent the couple from enjoying a relaxing evening in their backyard.

But is Joe blowing his frustrations out of proportion? Captain Ryan Koener with the Salisbury Police Department said the city’s noise ordinance would suggest so.

“If it’s not between 11pm and 7am in a residential zone, you are fine,” said Capt. Koener. “That’s the way the law is written; the law is written so you can take care of things when you need to.”

While Joe’s neighbors aren’t handling their yard work during those hours of the day, Capt. Koener said he does understand the concern.

Joe said he hasn’t spoken to his neighbor about the issue or called the police. Capt. Koener said this situation is a good reminder to have those neighborly conversations, to come to a common ground.

“Be mindful of your neighbors. If you know your neighbor has a job or works different hours than you, talk with your neighbors and try to work it out with them, so you’ve got a good schedule, so you can be doing those things,” said Capt. Koener.