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.