Proposed ordinance could limit vehicle noise in Boise

June 2024 · 2 minute read

Just a normal weekend night in the Summer.

Loud cars cruising downtown Boise.

"They're definitely becoming more of a problem on Friday and Saturday nights," said Melissa Harbison who works downtown. She says the noise is even chasing away customers at the restaurant where she works.

"It's making people not want to come to our restaurant and sit on our patio because of the noise pollution."

It's gotten so bad; the Boise city council is poised to take action. On Tuesday, council members will vote on an ordinance that could limit the vehicle noise within Boise city limits.

If the ordinance passes, offending drivers could face a $100 fine.

"I don't think it's ever going to stop kids from coming and bringing their cars down,” said Boise resident Matt Young. “I would be more concerned about the driving behavior than I would the noise."

The limit set by the ordinance is 92 decibels. To put that into perspective, that's about the level of a Boeing 737 aircraft at landing.

"I don't know what everyone's gripe is with the noise,” Young said. “There are so many people down here on the weekends yelling, screaming, bars you know stuff like that so...I don't think it's going to stop anyone from coming."

The City Council votes tomorrow at noon.

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