What are the laws concerning excessive noise and what can I do about my noisy neighbors?
The Kentwood City Code (38-263) says that no person shall permit or allow any loud noise, electrical, mechanical, human or animal in origin, to be emitted from any place occupied or controlled by him so as to unnecessarily disturb, without reasonable cause, the quiet, comfort or repose of any person and that no person shall create any loud noise in such a manner as to unnecessarily disturb, without reasonable cause, the quiet, comfort or repose of any person between the hours of 11:00 pm and 7:00 am, except as allowed by a permit issued by the City.
We encourage citizens to work out neighborhood problems by talking with their neighbors. If this is not an option, and the “noise problem” is “in progress”, please call the Kentwood Police Department at 616-698-6580 to make a complaint. If there is an ongoing noise problem, you may call 616-698-6580 Monday through Friday during normal business hours, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, and ask to be connected with the Community Services Officer that works in your area.
What are the laws concerning barking dogs, dangerous animals, and animals running loose and what can I do about them?
The Kentwood City Code, Chapter 10, says that no person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of a dog shall permit such dog at any time, by loud, frequent or habitual barking, yelping or howling, to cause a nuisance or annoyance to the neighborhood.
The Kentwood City Code also says that no person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall cause, permit or allow the dog to run at large or be upon any highway, street, lane, alley, court or other public place, or upon any private property or premises, except for hunters with the consent of the owner of such property and persons owning or having charge, care, custody or control of such dog within the City, unless such dog is restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length and is in the charge, care, custody or control of a person with the ability to restrain such dog.
The Kentwood City Code further defines vicious animals as any:
- Animal that, when unprovoked, approaches, in a dangerous or terrorizing manner, any person in an apparent attitude of attack in any public place or upon any private property not occupied by the animal's owner;
- Animal with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack when unprovoked, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals;
- Animal which bites, inflicts injury, assaults or otherwise attacks a human being or domestic animal without provocation, on public or private property; or
- Dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or any dog trained for animal fighting.
There are several rules regarding vicious animals and a complete copy of the Code can be obtained at City Hall or through a link on this website.
We encourage citizens to work out neighborhood problems, such as barking dog complaints, by talking with their neighbors. If this is not an option, and the “barking” is “in progress”, please call the Kentwood Police Department at 616-698-6580 to make a complaint. If there is an ongoing noise problem, you may call 616-698-6580 Monday through Friday during normal business hours, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, and ask to be connected with the Community Services Officer that works in your area.
Animals at large and vicious animals should be reported to the Kent County Animal Control at 616-632-7300 or the Kentwood Police Department at 616-698-6580.
Where can I hunt in Kentwood?
Firearm hunting is prohibited in the City of Kentwood. Bow hunting is allowed when the following section from the City Code (38-200) is complied with:
- No bow and arrow shall be discharged at any time within the City, except when properly discharged on an indoor range or, when properly discharged outdoors on property consisting of not-less-than five contiguous acres, the narrow side of which is not less than 450 feet, owned by one or more persons who, by mutual written agreement, provide their property for such purpose; provided, however, that no bow and arrow shall be discharged within 450 feet of a house, garage, barn or any commercial establishment or any other occupied building, except by written consent of the owner.
Can I shoot a BB gun or pellet gun in my neighborhood?
BB and pellet guns are defined by local and state law as any smooth bore rifle or hand gun designed and manufactured exclusively for propelling on any one manipulation of the trigger, a single BB, not exceeding .177 caliber, by means of a spring, gas or air.
BB and pellet guns can be discharged on a person’s own property or on an approved target range. BB and pellet guns may NOT be pointed or discharged at persons, buildings, or vehicles. Persons under 18 years of age may not possess a BB or pellet gun outside of their property unless accompanied by a person over 18 years of age. Careless or negligent discharge of the BB or pellet gun that causes death, injury or property damage would subject the person or person’s parents to criminal charges.
What can I do about annoying telephone calls?
The Kentwood City Code says that no person shall, by the use or means of telephone, perform any of the following:
- Disturb the peace, quiet or privacy of any other person or family by repeated calls intended to harass or annoy the person or family to whom the calls are made;
- Use obscene or offensive language, or suggest any lewd or lascivious act;
- Attempt to extort money or anything of value from any person;
- Threaten any physical violence or harm to any person;
- Repeatedly and continuously ring the telephone of any person with the intent to disturb or harass such person.
Annoying telephone calls should be reported to the Kentwood Police Department at 616-698-6580 and to your local telephone service provider. A copy of incoming calls can be provided to the Police Department and the offending person can be charged with a crime under the City Code.
What is the curfew in Kentwood?
Kentwood City Code (38-392) states that it is unlawful for any person:
- Under the age of 12 years to be in any public place between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am.
- Who is 12 years of age or older and less than 16 years of age to be in any public place between the hours of 11:00 pm and 6:00 am.
- Who is 16 years of age or older and less than 17 years of age to be in any public place between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 am.
Further, no person shall assist, aid, abet, allow, permit or encourage any person to violate this section of the City Code.
It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person was:
- Accompanied by the person’s parent or guardian or an adult designated by the person’s parent or guardian.
- On an errand at the direction of the person’s parent or guardian or an adult designated by the person’s parent or guardian, without any detour or stop.
- In a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel.
- Engaged in an employment activity, or going to or returning home from an employment activity, without any detour or stop.
- Involved in an emergency. In this section, the term “emergency” means an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action. Such term includes, but is not limited to, a fire, natural disaster, automobile accident or any situation requiring immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury or loss of life.
- Attending an official school, religious or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the City, a civic organization or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the person, or going to or returning home from, without detour or stop, an official school, religious or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the City, a civic organization or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the person.
- Exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech and the right of assembly.
- Married, or had been married or is an emancipated minor removed in accordance with law.