You risk a $500 fine for mowing your lawn depending on the time of day – it’s earlier than you think
RESIDENTS in a certain city risk getting slapped with a $500 fine if they do not follow a strict time rule. These people could be smacked with a charge for mowing their lawn after a specific time which could be earlier than people assume. GettyPeople using lawnmowers in a certain city could be hit with a fine up top $500 if they use the equipment at a certain time (stock image)[/caption] The noise control rules in the city of Ankeny, Iowa, around 10 miles north of Des Moines, cover a range of common household tasks. Lawn mowing and the use of motor-powered outdoor equipment has been subject to strict rules according to section 44.05 of the city’s Noise Control chapter. These items have included “motor-powered, muffler-equipped, lawn and garden equipment,” according to American Legal Publishing’s Code Library. One of the rules pertains to the hours that this equipment cannot be used. Most homeowners would know not to use these items late at night or in the early hours of the morning, but the cut off in Ankeny might catch some people out. Lawnmowers cannot be used from 9 pm to 7 am each day. This means homeowners cutting their grass at 8 pm or 9 pm could be hit with a charge. The city’s rules have stated that the minimum fine for breaking this rule was $100, plus any surcharges or court costs that could come with it. This violation could also rise to a $500 maximum charge. Other noises subject to strict time rules include alarm testing and chain saw use. For example, the sound emitted by chainsaws cannot be produced between 9 pm and 7 am. UNEXPECTED FINES Homeowners have not been the only group to be hit with charges for new or specific rules. Drivers have faced new or lesser known road laws across different states, The U.S. Sun has previously reported. For example, drivers in Alabama should be aware of a new law that was enforced in June. What other noises could you be fines over? Many cites have strict laws surrounding loud sounds that could bother neighbors, and Ankeny, Iowa has a list of prohibited noise disturbances. Some of these include: No alarm testing between 5 pm and 8 pm. The sound emitted by motor vehicle radios should not be heard from more than 50 feet away. Sounds made by testing or repairing engines has been banned between 9 pm and 7 am. The sound produced by musical instruments should not be made between 9 pm and 7 am. Source: American Legal Publishing’s Code Library Cops have started a crackdown against drivers who use their phone behind the wheel. The new law, that has strictly prohibited people from using their phone or holding their device by their ear while driving was introduced in June 2023. A one-year grace period ended on June 15, 2024, so drivers caught breaking this law can receive a fine up to $150. Drivers in Kentucky have also faced a expansion of a pre-existing road law. The state had expanded a 2003 which required drivers to slow down or move over for highway crews, emergency responders, or tow truck operators. This has been extended to include disabled vehicles. Drivers who do not comply with this rule could face $500 fines or even jail time.
RESIDENTS in a certain city risk getting slapped with a $500 fine if they do not follow a strict time rule.
These people could be smacked with a charge for mowing their lawn after a specific time which could be earlier than people assume.
The noise control rules in the city of Ankeny, Iowa, around 10 miles north of Des Moines, cover a range of common household tasks.
Lawn mowing and the use of motor-powered outdoor equipment has been subject to strict rules according to section 44.05 of the city’s Noise Control chapter.
These items have included “motor-powered, muffler-equipped, lawn and garden equipment,” according to American Legal Publishing’s Code Library.
One of the rules pertains to the hours that this equipment cannot be used.
Most homeowners would know not to use these items late at night or in the early hours of the morning, but the cut off in Ankeny might catch some people out.
Lawnmowers cannot be used from 9 pm to 7 am each day.
This means homeowners cutting their grass at 8 pm or 9 pm could be hit with a charge.
The city’s rules have stated that the minimum fine for breaking this rule was $100, plus any surcharges or court costs that could come with it.
This violation could also rise to a $500 maximum charge.
Other noises subject to strict time rules include alarm testing and chain saw use.
For example, the sound emitted by chainsaws cannot be produced between 9 pm and 7 am.
UNEXPECTED FINES
Homeowners have not been the only group to be hit with charges for new or specific rules.
Drivers have faced new or lesser known road laws across different states, The U.S. Sun has previously reported.
For example, drivers in Alabama should be aware of a new law that was enforced in June.
What other noises could you be fines over?
Many cites have strict laws surrounding loud sounds that could bother neighbors, and Ankeny, Iowa has a list of prohibited noise disturbances.
Some of these include:
- No alarm testing between 5 pm and 8 pm.
- The sound emitted by motor vehicle radios should not be heard from more than 50 feet away.
- Sounds made by testing or repairing engines has been banned between 9 pm and 7 am.
- The sound produced by musical instruments should not be made between 9 pm and 7 am.
Cops have started a crackdown against drivers who use their phone behind the wheel.
The new law, that has strictly prohibited people from using their phone or holding their device by their ear while driving was introduced in June 2023.
A one-year grace period ended on June 15, 2024, so drivers caught breaking this law can receive a fine up to $150.
Drivers in Kentucky have also faced a expansion of a pre-existing road law.
The state had expanded a 2003 which required drivers to slow down or move over for highway crews, emergency responders, or tow truck operators.
This has been extended to include disabled vehicles.
Drivers who do not comply with this rule could face $500 fines or even jail time.
