It’s no surprise that the number of noise complaints has risen with the recent growth in amphitheater construction.  Throughout the country, communities are adopting tougher noise control ordinances requiring amphitheaters to either conform or be fined.  But amphitheater management can remove the burden of proving conformance by adopting a successful sound monitoring program that monitors and produces instantaneous updates on sound levels at concerts.

Polaris Amphitheater in Columbus, OH, is one of the premier venues in the United States.  Constructed in 1994, its first season was met with great excitement by concert goers and the acts that performed there.  However, management of the facility soon became inundated with complaints from nearby neighbors about noise.  Polaris falls under the jurisdiction of the City of Columbus noise ordinance that limits noise to 65 dB LeqA60 before 10 p.m. and to 60 dB LeqA60 after 10 p.m.  In Layman’s terms, this means that the average sound level over a 60-minute period cannot exceed 65 dB A-Weighted and 60 dB A-Weighted after 10 p.m.  In layman’s terms, this means that the average sound level over a 60- minute period cannot exceed 65 dB A-Weighted and 60 dB A-Weighted after 10 p.m.  Polaris is surrounded on three sides by the City of Westerville, which has adopted a tougher noise ordinance that uses a 15-minute averaging time.  The reality of this particular noise control ordinance is that people mowing their lawns and the heavy traffic areas surrounding Polaris are in violation of these limits as well.

Read more here.