The Princeton Regional Health Commission is seeking public comment on a proposal to adopt the State Model Noise Code. 

A public comment session will be held at the beginning of the Health Commission meeting on Tuesday, July 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the East Conference Room at Borough Hall.

Comments gathered from this meeting will be shared with the governing bodies of Princeton Borough and Princeton Township.

The model ordinance provided by the state Department of Environmental Protection would allow for penalties up to $3,000 for non-minor violations, if adopted.

Among the limits in the model ordinance are a maximum of 80 decibels for "impulsive sound," or sound peaks which last up to a second, on residential property between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. The limit on continuous sound measured outdoors would be 65 decibels. Overnight, the limit would be 50 decibels. For a commercial facility, the sound limit is 65 decibels at all times.

The limits for noise measured from indoors is lower, at 55 decibels for all instances except residential areas at night, when the limit is 40 decibels.

Use of power tools, landscaping and other maintenance equipment would be prohibited between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. unless it falls within the allowed threshold. For commercial and public workers the quiet time would be 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. weekdays and 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends and federal holidays. Construction and demolition must not be performed between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, or 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. on weekends and holidays, under the model ordinance.

Limits are also set for car stereos, which should not audible more than 25 feet away from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. or from 50 feet during the day.

The ordinance may also be a discussion item at the joint meeting of the Princeton Township Committee and Borough Council at 7 p.m. Monday, July 16, at the main meeting room at the Princeton Township Municipal Building.