For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AMBIENT NOISE LEVEL. The all-encompassing noise level associated with a given environment, being a composite of sounds from all sources, excluding the alleged offensive noise, at the location and approximate time at which a comparison with the alleged offensive noise is to be made.
CUMULATIVE PERIOD. An additive period of time composed of individual time segments which may be continuous or interrupted.
DECIBEL (dB). A unit which denotes the ratio between two (2) quantities which are proportional to power: the number of decibels corresponding to the ratio or two (2) amounts of power is ten (10) times the logarithm to the base ten (10) of this ratio.
DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one (1) or more persons including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
EMERGENCY MACHINERY, VEHICLE, OR WORK. Any machinery, vehicle or work used, employed or performed in an effort to protect, provide or restore safe conditions in the community or for the citizenry, or work by private or public utilities when restoring utility service.
FIXED NOISE SOURCE. A stationary device which creates sounds while fixed or motionless, including but not limited to industrial and commercial machinery and equipment, pumps, fans, compressors, generators, air conditioners and refrigeration equipment.
GRADING. Any excavating or filling of earth material, or any combination thereof, conducted at a site to prepare said site for construction or other improvements thereon.
IMPACT NOISE. The noise produced by the collision of one mass in motion with a second mass which may be either in motion or at rest.
MOBILE NOISE SOURCE. Any noise source other than a fixed noise source.
NOISE LEVEL. The “A” weighted sound pressure level in decibels obtained by using a sound level meter at slow response with a reference pressure of twenty (20) micronewtons per square meter. The unit of measurement shall be designated as dB(A).
PERSON. A person, firm, association, co-partnership, joint venture, corporation or any entity, public or private in nature.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. A parcel of real property which is developed and used either in part or in whole for residential purposes, other than transient uses such as hotels and motels.
SIMPLE TONE NOISE. A noise characterized by a predominant frequency or frequencies so that other frequencies cannot be readily distinguished.
SOUND LEVEL METER. An instrument meeting American National Standard Institute's Standard S1.4-1971 for Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meters or an instrument and the associated recording and analyzing equipment which will provide equivalent data.
SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL OF A SOUND, IN DECIBELS. Twenty (20) times the logarithm to the base ten (10) of the ratio of the pressure of the sound to a reference pressure, which reference pressure shall be explicitly stated.
('61 Code, § 7B.2) (Ord. 812, passed - - )