Noise complaint crackdown in Madera County

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Madera County supervisors have increased the penalties of the current noise ordinance; it also gives deputies another tool in their kit. 

“We recognize a deficiency within the system, and this is a lot more effective,” said Madera County Supervisor Jordan Wamhoff.

Partying and loud music throughout the night has been a common complaint that the deputies and supervisors receive from residents.

“A lot of people call extremely frustrated, and it seems to be repeat offenders,” said Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue.

Pogue says they receive anywhere from 100 to 200 noise complaint calls a month. Under the previous no-noise ordinance, deputies could tell the noisemakers to turn it down and if they did not comply, they would write up a report.

“About once a week, those reports would be sent over to code enforcement and then the homeowners would receive some sort of citation in the mail,” Pogue said. 

Under the new law, deputies now have the ability to ticket offenders on the spot and they can give out multiple tickets a night.

“The first time we write a ticket will be $500, second one $750, and a third one $1,000. And every one after that is $1,000 per occurrence, per the time we’re coming out there,” Pogue said.

If the homeowners do not pay the fines, the county will then place a lien on the property.

The new noise ban is from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. If you continue to break the law, deputies could even take away your sound system.

“It’s as classified now as a misdemeanor, which could allow us to seize evidence,” Pogue said.

The updated ordinance will take effect in mid-April.