Requests from local residents to the city to enforce the existing noise ordinance have been cited as a fight against nightlife in San Antonio. Local residents have been verbally abused by music lovers, bar owners and the press for simply asking that bar owners act responsibly and obey the law.
In June, under instructions from the city council, the Noise Ordinance Task Force, made up of residents, bar and restaurant owners, and city staff, began addressing the noise ordinance in relation to businesses in nearby neighborhoods, “so residents can” peacefully and quietly enjoy their home without having to file a complaint with their business neighbors. ”
The ordinance currently limits the noise level for companies during operating hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 11 p.m. and on other nights until 10 p.m. to 70 decibels. These sound levels are measured at the property boundary and are then limited to 63 decibels. The Task Force has never proposed anything that would restrict Fiesta activities. The exception in the ordinance for parades and city-sponsored events is not threatened.
Early on, the task force asked the San Antonio Police Department to provide data on the noise calls received. From January 2020 to June 2021, SAPD received 53,564 calls related to noise. During that time, they only issued 70 quotations. One reason for very few violations is the SAPD’s practice of issuing verbal warnings that are not documented. Admittedly, SAPD is dealing with life-threatening events that should be treated as a priority. Together with an inadequate supply of noise level meters, this leads to the rejection of noise complaints.
One measure taken by the city administration and supported by the task force is the establishment of a pilot program using city law enforcement officers who have been trained and equipped to use decibel meters. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., a team of six code officers is specifically responsible for noise complaints.
Since the start of the pilot program on October 7th, more violations and allegations have been registered for people who work above the decibel limits of our current regulation. Of 1,464 calls answered by Code Compliance, 189 violations were recorded and 99 citations were given. That’s 6.8% of code compliance call responses that resulted in citations, compared to 0.1% prior to the pilot. Using code officers for this type of enforcement takes the pressure off SAPD officials, allowing them to address more serious security concerns.
While this started out as a problem in certain neighborhoods, it quickly became apparent that corporate noise is an issue affecting communities across San Antonio. Although a large percentage of noise complaints come from residential situations, the occasional house party cannot be compared to the weekly or often nightly annoyance of hours in a nightclub’s music above the permitted decibel limit.
There is no consensus in the task force that most companies are already complying with the Noise Ordinance. Local residents don’t want bars and clubs to close. They want complaints to be measured and violations to be enforced according to the current code.
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Residents who comment on these topics are accused of wanting to live in hip urban areas, but not accepting what is part of life in a city. This implies that “Anything goes” works the way an urban district works. In fact, it’s just the opposite. There are thousands of city laws and ordinances that control our lives that do not exist in unincorporated counties and smaller towns.
The downtown decade was not an invitation to recreate Austin’s 6th Street. The real cultural and economic improvements like the Reach Museum, Briscoe, Yanaguana Gardens, Convention Center and San Pedro Creek will not be jeopardized by enforcement of the long-standing noise ordinance
When laws and codes are administered and enforced in a balanced way, they ensure the success of businesses and the quality of life for residents. The work of the Noise Ordinance Task Force does not rule out San Antonio nightlife. The pilot program is a way to fairly enforce a noise ordinance based on sound level measurements. A clear and effective noise regulation preserves the beauty of San Antonio’s nightlife by offering businesses and residents a balanced approach that allows for dense and vibrant city life.