For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
APPROVED SOUND-LEVEL METER. An instrument sensitive to pressure fluctuations and meeting the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) S1.4-1983 Type 1 or Type 2 or those of IEC Publication 651 or those of the latest respective revisions thereof.
A-WEIGHTED SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL. The sound pressure level as measured on an approved sound-level meter using the A-weighting network. The unit of measurement is dB(A). Sounds measured with the "A" weighting network approximate the response of human hearing when measuring sounds of low to moderate intensity.
C-WEIGHTED SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL. The sound pressure level as measured on an approved sound-level meter using the C-weighting network. The unit of measurement is dB(C). The "C" weighting network is more sensitive to low frequencies than is the "A" weighting network.
DAYTIME. From 7:00 a.m. (0700 hours) to 10:00 p.m. (2200 hours).
DOWNTOWN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOCUS AREA. The area designated as the Downtown Arts and Entertainment Focus Area in the Integrated Development Ordinance.
EMERGENCY WORK. Work made necessary to restore property to a safe condition following a public calamity, work to restore public utilities or work required to protect persons or property from an imminent exposure to danger.
EPA. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
HOLIDAYS. Those days established by the federal government as official holidays.
MAYOR. The Mayor or his designated representative.
MECHANICAL VENTILATION. A forced-air system with supply fan and ductwork; the air which is supplied may or may not be heated or cooled. This may include, but is not limited to: air conditioning, furnace, or swamp cooler.
NIGHTTIME. From 10:00 p.m. (2200 hours) to 7:00 a.m. (0700 hours).
NOISE. Any sound which annoys or disturbs humans or which causes or tends to cause an adverse psychological or physiological effect on humans, including excessive sound as defined and regulated by this article.
NOISE-SENSITIVE PROPERTY. Property containing an occupied: dwelling unit or units, school, hospital, religious institution, child-care facility, or adult-care facility or other facility similar in nature.
PERSISTENTLY OR CONTINUOUSLY. A 10-minute period during which any sound is discerned and that sound exceeds the applicable sound limits in each of the ten one-minute intervals of such period. In the case of animal noise, it means a 10-minute period during which animal noise is discerned in each of the ten one-minute intervals therein.
PERSON. A person, firm, association, copartnership, joint venture, corporation, or any other entity, public or private in nature.
PUBLIC PREMISES. All real property, including appurtenances thereon, owned or controlled by any governmental entity and includes, without limitation, rights-of-way, streets, highways, sidewalks, alleys, parks, and waterways.
RECEPTOR PREMISES. The premises (residential, commercial, downtown arts and entertainment focus area, industrial/manufacturing, or public) as listed in Table 1 receiving noise emitted from the source premises after crossing one or more property lines.
REFERENCE PRESSURE. The reference pressure for all sound level measurements shall be 20 micropascals (20µPa). This shall be further defined as 0 dB(A).
RESIDENTIAL, OFFICE/COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL/MANUFACTURING. These terms shall be as used in the Integrated Development Ordinance (Chapter 14, Article 16), and when used to describe a receptor or source premises, the terms refer to the particular zoning classification of the receptor or source premises and not the actual use of such premises.
SOUND. Sound is anything perceptible by human beings through the sense of hearing. The description of sound may include any characteristic of such sound, including duration, intensity, and frequency.
SOUND AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT. Any machine or device for the sound amplification of the human voice, music, or any other sound. “Sound amplifying equipment” shall not include warning devices on authorized emergency vehicles or horns or other warning devices on any motor vehicles used only for traffic safety purposes.
SOUND LEVEL. A logarithmic measure called the decibel. It may make use of various frequency weighting networks, such as A or C-weighted, as specified by ANSI. When sound level is used without further description, A-weighting of sound level may be assumed.
SOURCE PREMISES. The premises (residential, commercial, downtown arts and entertainment focus area, industrial/manufacturing, or public) as listed in Table 1 that is emitting noise that is crossing one or more property lines and impacting the receptor premises.
STRUCTURE. For the purposes of the Noise Control Ordinance, structure shall mean the outer shell of a building, typically consisting of exterior walls covered by a roof.
('74 Code, § 6-22-2) (Ord. 21- 1975; Am. Ord. 30-1981; Am. Ord. 9-2001; Am. Ord. 5-2002; Am. Ord. 2017-002; Am. Ord. 2017-025)