I came across this minor wrinkle in the DST debate. In Monticello (and I’ve seen this story in other localities), a noise ordinance prohibits use of power lawn mowers — and other noise makers — after 8 p.m.
Prior to DST, this wasn’t really an issue since there wasn’t much daylight after 8 p.m. during the year during which to mow one’s lawn. Now there is. It is, perhaps, a minor issue, but it points to the larger issue of how DST expands the day and compacts the night, disrupting customary patterns.
Personally, I tend to head to bed at about 9:45 and get up at 5:15 or so. So I’m glad of ordinances that limit lawn mowers and the like, even if the sun still happens to be up — though, if it ever was a problem, I’d try talking to my neighbors before getting the cops involved.
Actually, since I’m unaware of any ordinace prohibiting late-night mowing, I do it. It is my little way to protest 10:00pm sundown. If enough people do it, I think they might be able to get enough support in their county to switch to Central time.
After all, having “more” sun to do things outdoors later was one of the selling points, right? Enjoy it.
Interestingly, in the interest of reducing threats to the ozone layer, you’re supposed to mow after 6pm. These busybodies don’t leave a heck of a lot of time to get things done!
Fort Wayne also has an 8:00 p.m. noise ordinance and I suspect they are fairly common. The ordinance was mentioned in an article in the Journal-Gazette generally praising DST. The article did mention, towards its end, that some people, who start work early, were being bothered by late night mowing.
It gets better than that, Mike. The 6pm time was last year, when the sun was lower at 6. Now, to get the same result, it would be 7 pm. So, I guess in Fort Wayne, Monticello, and other areas, you have from 7 pm to 8 pm to be eco-friendly and legal. :)
No one needs to mow at 8 or 9 at night. Do it after work, Saturday or if you work nights, do it before you go in.
I bust my ass and try to get all of my accounts mowed before dark. Sometimes due to weather and other uncontrollable forces, I am forced to mow “after hours”. I just had an issue w a very rude and hostile neighbor to one of my customers because I was mowing too late. It was 10:10pm. I had 15 mins left to be done. It wasn’t obnoxious. Said he had kids trying to sleep. I’m sorry but kids can sleep thru a neighbor mowing their lawn. What happens in the daytime when they are napping ?? Not supposed to mow then ? It happens literally 2-3 times a year at the very most and sometimes I’ve went years without having to mow after dark. Do people think there is enjoyment in being out at 10pm still working ? This jerk got off 5 hours ago and is just looking for something to bitch about. I always mow the strip of grass on the property line that he just leaves and doesn’t bother tending to. I don’t say anything to him about it. It’s so obvious when people have never had to work hard or use a light bar to finish their job because they ran out of daylight. They’re so out of touch it’s ridiculous. But I think if it’s a one time occurrence and you can see that they are trying to finish their job and make a living, then let them be and don’t be a prick. If it happens more than once then approach them with respect and ask them to please refrain from mowing so late. If I were a homeowner out mowing my yard at 10pm that’s one thing and I can justify someone getting pissy about it. But if I’m out trying to put food on my table and clothes on my back and the backs of my family, and I don’t ever work that late over the entire season, then stay the hell inside and look out your window and be pissed all you want. It’s a good thing people like myself have restraint and poise enough to not put a rude punk like that in their place and drag their ass out in the yard and whoop their ass. Their is no compassion or respect for others situations or circumstances anymore and it’s really such a shame. It’s only going to get worse before it gets any better unfortunately.