THORNTON | The Village Board has approved three ordinances to regulate noise, keep order in Thornton parks and increase fees for cars impounded by police.

All three ordinances passed unanimously this week.

The parks ordinance restores a series of formal rules for behavior. It bans such acts as littering, drinking, sleeping, setting off fireworks or walking dogs in the parks.

The ordinance also closes the parks, except for approved events, between dusk and dawn. The fine for a first violation is $50.

"It's a common-sense list of things to not do in the parks," Trustee William Koch said.

Another new ordinance allows Thornton police to add a civil penalty -- beyond costs of towing services -- when they order towing of some cars.

The towing penalty would be assessed if a car is towed in connection with a long list of criminal offenses, including drug dealing and other felonies. The penalty cannot be more than $500, in addition to the cost of towing.

The towing fee ordinance includes an appeal process.

"It's almost like a zero-tolerance ordinance," Police Chief Norb Schlesser said.

The new noise restrictions were approved in response to recent complaints from residents. The ordinance prohibits "unreasonable" noise, loud music, shouting, barking dogs or other sounds without setting a limit in decibels.

The ordinance also sets time limits on the use of power tools and construction equipment that make noise. Construction noise cannot start until 7 a.m., under the code. Sound from a business cannot be audible, at any volume, at night within 50 feet of a home.

Special noise restrictions are applied to residential areas and property near schools and churches. The ordinance also contains exceptions for certain noises, such as ambulance sirens and emergency street repairs.

Noise violations can be punished with a $50 fine for a first offense and a $250 fine for a second offense.