NORWALK — Vernon Howard says he didn’t move to Washington Street in South Norwalk (SoNo) expecting library-level street noise.

“We had assumed a reasonable expectation of what it would be like based on our past experiences living in cities in similar areas,” Howard said. “But it turns out we grossly underestimated the level of noise we would encounter here and would endure over the past three years. If we had known we would be dealing with this, we would have selected an entirely different place to purchase and call home.”

Howard and his fiancé live in a second-floor unit on Washington Street in the heart of SoNo. Beneath them is “Room 112,” which describes itself as “an urban garage meets underground lounge.” Before Room 112, the space was occupied by The Beer Garden and Episode, which also featured music late into the evening.

Howard has posted videos on YouTube to relate the level of noise, which he says vibrates his apartment. He said such noise can be heard as late as 2 a.m., sometimes Wednesdays through Saturdays.

The owner of Room 112 couldn’t be reached immediately for comment.

Aside from moving, Howard, his fiancé and others objecting to the level of nightlife noise in SoNo could get relief under proposed changes to Norwalk’s noise ordinance. The Common Council’s Ordinance Committee is exploring two possible amendments.

Adopted in 1983, the ordinance states that “people have a right to and should be ensured an environment free from excessive sound and vibration that may jeopardize their health or safety or welfare or degrade the quality of life.”

The ordinance currently states that the least restrictive decibel level must be applied “where multiple uses exist within a given noise zone.” For SoNo, that means that 65 rather than 42 decibels are acceptable. The committee is looking to flip that, making the more restrictive level of 42 decibels applicable.

“Forty-two is still loud music but not vibrating buildings,” said Councilwoman Eloisa M. Melendez, the District A Democrat who chairs the Ordinance Committee. The ordinance “currently says the least restrictive is applied, which is the 65 decibels. But obviously at night there’s an issue.”

By comparison, barely audible breathing registers 10 decibels, home conversation 50 decibels, freeway traffic 70 decibels and freight trains 80 decibels. A jet taking off 25 meters away will rupture eardrums, according to a study by Purdue University.

Councilman Bruce I. Kimmel, an at-large Democrat on the Ordinance Committee, described the proposed decibel flip and another potential changes to Norwalk’s noise ordinance as preliminary.

“There are substantial changes that need to be made in our existing noise ordinance and it will take a number of months,” Kimmel said. “But in the interim, we’ve wanted to make two easy changes that will make enforcement much easier.”

In a second proposed change, the committee is exploring raising fines for violations. Currently, violators are subject to a fine of no more than $99. Under a proposed revision, they’d face $99 for the first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense within one year of the last offense.

The committee has set a public hearing on the two proposed changes for Tuesday, March 21, at 7 p.m., in Room 231 of City Hall, 125 East Ave.

Howard, who plans to attend the hearing, acknowledges that his efforts to curb the noise have gotten him into trouble. In January, he was charged by police with second-degree threatening after complaining to the owner of Room 112. He disputes that his behavior rose to the level of a threat.

He’s not the only SoNo resident having problems with the noise in the neighborhood.

Melendez said the owner of The SoNo Pearl, an apartment building across the street, has also raised the matter to the committee.

Norwalk police are responsible for investigating noise complaints. Police Chief Thomas E. Kulhawik has been part of the discussions about the proposed ordinance changes, Melendez said.

The Norwalk Zoning Commission reviews plans for clubs and restaurants wishing to feature live music.

“If they want to add live music, the first time it goes through the commission,” said Michael E. Wrinn, Norwalk’s assistant director of planning and zoning.