I was wondering if there is a specific noise ordinance for the Bella Vista area?

There is a restaurant that runs its kitchen vent 24 hours per day, often 7 days a week (the place is open only 5 days a week). No other restaurant in the area has a vent quite so noisy and certainly hasn't noticeably run it constantly. Despite asking the owner if he could turn the vents off when the restaurant is not open, or at least at night, the noise continues all night and all day. We live very close and the noise and vibration comes through our windows.

Are there any rules or regulation for restaurants and their vents in terms of noise and hours of operation?

Is it a new restaurant?

No, is not a new restaurant.

Check with your neighbor's association. QVNA has a noise and nuisance committee for problems like that.

We had this same problem. We're located between a few restaurants. With some of the restaurants, we were able to work with them to reduce the noise. With some of the others, it was an uphill fight. The Philadelphia Department of Health has a noise department that will come out and do readings. The readings were excessive, but the better thing to do is to take the readings and work with the restaurant regarding the cleaning and maintenance of the vent.

If the restaurant has a liquor license, you can also work with the PA Liquor Control Board.

I have to ask...are you people moving into areas with restaurants, and then complaining about them? It seems to me you should find this stuff out first instead of moving into an area and then trying to force existing residents to change.

Reminds me of a small air strip out in the styx. Every couple of years, someone new moves in and tries to shut down the airport because it's "dangerous and noisy with all those planes taking off and landing there". Meanwhile, the airport's been there for 40 years...these people knew it...moved there and then try to shut them down.
I realize this is a different situation, but how do you not find out about it before moving there?

No, the restaurants didn't when we bought all those years ago. If the hoods are maintained and installed according to Code, the noise is negligible, just a rush of air. When they are not cleaned and maintained, they can sound like 747s taking off!

Bella Vista civic association office number : 267-872-4686

Neither neighbor organization knows how to deal with the problem. Everytime I call them, the response is dependent on who answers the phone.
The staff often recites their opinion, rather than the letter of the law. I think theses groups are good in theory, but the staff has to become trained before they give advice. That being said, here is the new law that just went into effect this year:
Sound violations can now be handled through the police as a ticketable offense. The South Street Police Mini Station has a sound test machine which can test offensive noises. It used to be that the Health Department had to come into your house and measure the noise from the area you hear it, but under the new entitlement police can walk up to the area of the violation and test it.
It will be a slight problem to convince the police they can do it, since it is a brand new law, brought into fruition during the last quarter of 2005. If it is of enough concern, you can call carl engleke(sp?) in fumo's office. Whether you love him or hate him, he is your representative and can help, as he is the one that told me about the new law during a civic assoc. meeting.

Alesis, thanks for your explanation and information. Your answer is very helpful.

Just a quick thought; this is not a matter of moving in an area "and then trying to force existing residents to change" (the noise from the vent was not so bad and noticeable when we moved in), Designer is right, if this devices are well maintained, cleaned and installed according to Code they are no problem. This one doesn't look well maintained, is partially detached from the wall and likely needs to be repaired or fixed. Rules and laws - as well as responsibilities to keep your own neighborhood qualitatively pleasant - applies to everybody, new and old residents.

I wish the situation can be resolved in a friendly way, I don't like the idea of calling the cops or an official inspection on them and I like to keep friendly relationships with all my neighbors. That said, I haven't seen from them any sign that they're willing to deal with this matter. I only asked if they could turn the vent off when the restaurant is not open, or at least at night.