Lewes Mayor and City Council is considering amending the city’s noise ordinance to allow restaurants to play music on outdoor patios. 

As proposed, restaurateurs could place 20-by-20-inch speakers outside, facing the restaurant, with sound not to exceed 65 decibels, which is a state requirement. Music would be permitted from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Only prerecorded music would be allowed, no live entertainment. 

Every time a noise ordinance is addressed by local elected officials, it becomes controversial. Many people assume the worst-case scenario will happen. 

But the amendment before Lewes officials appears to be a modest proposal that will allow business owners to enhance the atmosphere for their patrons without infringing on the lives of neighbors. It is in the best interests of restaurateurs to be good neighbors, as a bustling business district and a happy, peaceful residential area are both important to a town’s quality of life and appeal. 

Sixty-five decibels will barely be noticeable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60 decibels is equivalent to normal conversation. Other examples include a soft whisper, 30 decibels; a washing machine, 70 decibels; and gas-powered lawn equipment, 80 to 85 decibels.

So it’s unlikely passersby will hear the music over the normal conversation and bursts of laughter that regularly occur on restaurant patios. 

If problems do arise, they may be addressed with the city and even the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner, who could go as far as revoking a restaurant’s liquor license. 

This added benefit will only apply to a handful of restaurants, and only for a few months each year. 

The current proposal is much more palatable than a March 2022 plan, when council came close to voting to allow outdoor live entertainment until 10 p.m. Perhaps if prerecorded music works well with no complaints, live acoustic music could be considered in the future. 

As Lewes is a popular dining destination for both locals and tourists, we believe allowing low-volume, ambient music on restaurant patios will be a community benefit. We are confident this can happen while also maintaining the city’s core value of busy days and quiet nights.