<p class="p1"><strong>Does the parish have an ordinance that sets a time frame for when people can run lawn mowers and leaf blowers?</strong></p><p class="p2">The Calcasieu Parish code’s provisions on disturbing the peace — beginning with Section 18-94 — limit the use of lawn mowers and power tools to 7 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays and holidays.</p><p class="p2">The code defines “holidays” as New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Mardi Gras, Good Friday, July Fourth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.</p><p class="p2">“No person shall make, continue, or cause to be made or continued any loud, unnecessary or excessive noise which unreasonably interferes with the comfort and repose of others within the jurisdiction of the parish,” reads Section 18-96.</p><p class="p2">Among the exceptions:</p><p class="p3">The sirens of vehicles responding to emergencies.</p><p class="p3">“Noises made by persons having obtained a permit.”</p><p class="p3">Chimes and church bells.</p><p class="p3">Garbage trucks.</p><p class="p3">“Use of propane guns for rice planting and harvesting.”</p><p class="p2">The code lists several “specific prohibitions,” including the following:</p><p class="p3">“The sounding of any horn or signaling device … continuously and/or incessantly for a period in excess of sixty (60) seconds, except as a danger warning.”</p><p class="p3">The use of a loudspeaker or similar device, without a permit, 10 p.m.-7 a.m. weekdays and 10 p.m.-10 a.m. weekends and holidays “within or adjacent to residential or noise sensitive areas.”</p><p class="p3">The operating of construction equipment within 165 feet of residential or noise-sensitive areas “between sunset and sunrise on weekdays and Saturdays” and 9 p.m.-8 a.m. on Sundays and holidays.</p><p class="p3">The unloading of bulk waste containers 10 p.m.-5:30 a.m. within 300 feet of residential, noise-sensitive areas or public spaces “if the sound level is unreasonable.”</p><p class="p2">“Noise-sensitive areas” includes near schools and hospitals.</p><p class="p2">The code also bars the operation of loud or raucous machines within 300 feet of places of worship “where it is foreseeable that such sounds will interfere with the conduct of worship.”</p><p class="p2">The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office enforces the noise provisions.</p><p class="p5"><strong>For more info:</strong> <a href="http://www.municode.com" target="_blank">www.municode.com.</a></p><p class="p4">l</p><p class="p6">The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by <strong>Andrew Perzo</strong>, an <em>American Press</em> staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.</p>