| COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE |
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| - | Let neighbors know before you hold a party | |
| - | Know your guests and designate a sober host | |
| - | Discourage drinking games and promote responsible drinking | |
| - | Minimize gatherings on front porches and yards after 10 pm | |
| - | Limit the number of guests to help prevent disorderly conduct | |
| and disturbing the peace | ||
| - | Provide ample waste and recycling containers and pick up trash and litter | |
| - | Ensure there are no underage drinkers and keep open containers | |
| on private property | ||
| - | Encourage guests not to accept or leave drinks with someone | |
| they don't know and trust | ||
| - | Keep exits, driveways, sidewalks and streets clear and unblocked | |
| in case of emergency | ||
| - | Call police for help if a party is out of control | |
| - | Remind guests to be considerate when arriving and leaving |
Get to Know Burlington's Noise Regulations
| - | The City Noise Ordinance applies 24 hours a day | |
| - | Noise should not be heard beyond the property line between 10 pm and 7 am | |
| - | When the police show up, talk to them and understand that you need to | |
| reduce the noise and end the party | ||
| - | For disturbances from parties, police are required to ticket ALL tenants |
Non-Party Noise Fines:
| - | First violation: Waiver penalty is $200 | |
| - | Second violation: Waiver penalty is $300 | |
| - | Subsequent violations: Criminal offense and $500 |
Party Noise Fines:
| - | First violation: Waiver penalty is $300 & 3 hours reparative program* | |
| - | Second violation: Waiver penalty is $400 & 3 hrs reparative program* | |
| - | Subsequent violations: Criminal offense and $500 |
*There is a range of non-waiver penalties. For information call the City Attorney's Office at 865-7121. Community Service can be performed in lieu of some of the fine.
The Burlington Neighborhood Project, Community Support Program, and the UVM Office of Conflict Resolution (when UVM students are involved) each help residents work through stressful neighborhood issues. Last fall, these offices came together to mediate a conflict on Pearl Street that began with a noise incident.
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Tony, Sullivan, Neal, Ronan, and Jason were new residents on Pearl Street and all attend UVM. When the students had their soccer teammates over for a party, they were asked by their neighbor, Joan, to bring the noise level down. After a short time of continuing noise and some harsh comments from a passerby, Joan called the police in an attempt to warn her new neighbors. The students ended up with a hefty ordinance fine and a great deal of frustration. |
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Our neighborhoods are diverse where students often live next to families who live next to seniors. Figuring out how to respect your neighbors’ different lifestyle can be difficult but important for livable neighborhoods for everyone. |
The three community support offices offered to mediate the issue. Both neighbors agreed to meet and soon after all met in the students’ apartment. The focus of the meeting was listening to each other and finding ways to improve their relationship. The students listened to Joan’s perception of what was happening on the night of the party and they also learned of her history with prior noisy neighbors.
Joan heard from her neighbors that they had controlled the music volume at the party. They were in the process of quieting things down after she asked them to do so. She also heard their desire to be good neighbors.
Through listening, the students learned that numerous people talking outside was the problem that night, and not the music. They all shared their schedules with the hopes that with this information, they would be more considerate. They also exchanged phone numbers and agreed to call each other when they needed something. They also agreed to be responsive to that call.
Tony, one of the students involved with the incident reflects, “I wasn’t too sure about the mediation because our neighbor was adamant that we were wrong. The reality is, it helped out a lot. Ground rules were set and everyone got to say their thing and listen to everyone else.”
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