The state Liquor Control Board (PLCB) will regulate noise emitted from licensed establishments in Williamsport, with City Council voting on first reading to amend the noise ordinance.

Gary Knarr, city zoning administrator with the Bureau of Codes introduced the amendment proposal, which, after discussion, was approved. He highlighted the ordinance history to date, noting how several years ago the city created entertainment districts and enforced the level of noise emitted by these places. At the time, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board had banned outside music at licensed establishments, so the city created an entertainment district ordinance. That permitted the licensed establishments to have music outside of the building limited to as long as it was within their parcels, Knarr explained.

The city went through a process and evaluation and it was decided that businesses like that were allowed to have music from noon to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to 11 p.m. on weekends.

However, in 2022, the PLCB began to allow these establishments to have amplified music outside of their businesses, he said.

With this amendment, the decibel limit is the same, the distance is the same, the only difference is that it allows the PLCB to regulate and enforce noise level.

It takes the burden off of the police department so neither they or the Bureau of Codes have to go out with a decibel reader. Instead, he added, it will be done by the PLCB.

The amendment voted on repeals the city ordinance and the city will follow the state’s guidelines.

Prior to the council vote, Councilwoman Liz Miele said she could remember passing it and it was, as she put it, “a pain in the butt,” especially having to review what decibel limit was permitted and then having to reapply to the PLCB each year.

With this amendment, the city will not have to spend the solicitor’s time or the staff time to reapply every year and it will be governed under the PLCB, Knarr said.