Council adopts amended noise ordinance after debate over decibel standard

The Pecos City Council on July 24 adopted a revised noise ordinance amending Chapter 22 of the city code to address ongoing public complaints about nuisance noise, particularly from a local venue cited in public comment. Chief of Police Lisa Tarango presented the ordinance for second reading, describing prior council direction to revisit decibel limits, times and zones.

Tarango told council that the department provided examples of decibel readings and that enforcement can follow either state law or the city ordinance chosen by council. Council discussion included calls to keep the standard simple and consistent across zones and times. Councilman Grant moved to maintain a uniform decibel standard across times and zones; Councilman Arona seconded. The motion carried with Councilman Carrasco recorded in the transcript as opposing the ordinance.

The ordinance is intended to give the police department a clear enforcement standard for noise complaints; Tarango emphasized that the department will enforce whichever decibel level council selects. The council did not add an immediate schedule of hours in the public record during the vote; staff previously discussed decibel levels including 70 and 85 dB in earlier meetings.

The council approved the second reading and adoption in open session; staff said the department will implement the ordinance once it is codified.