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Brunswick Overview
Codified Ordinances of Brunswick, OH
CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BRUNSWICK, OHIO
CERTIFICATION
DIRECTORY OF OFFICIALS
ADOPTING ORDINANCE NUMBER 95-95
EDITOR'S NOTE
COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
TABLES OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES
CHARTER
PART TWO - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
PART FOUR - TRAFFIC CODE
PART SIX - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
PART EIGHT - BUSINESS REGULATION AND TAXATION CODE
PART TEN - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
PART TWELVE - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
PART FOURTEEN - BUILDING AND HOUSING CODE
PART SIXTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
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634.02 DEFINITIONS.
   The following words and terms shall, throughout this chapter, have the meaning given as hereinafter set forth and defined. All terminology used in this chapter, not defined below, shall be in conformance with applicable publications of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or its successor body.
   (a)   "A-weighted Sound Level" means the sound pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound level meter using the A-weighting network. The level so read is designated dB(a) or dBA.
   (b)   "Construction” means any site preparation, assembly, erection, substantial repair, alteration, or similar action, but excluding demolition, for or on public or private rights-of-way, structures, utilities or similar property.
   (c)   "Decibel (db)" means a unit for measuring the volume of a sound, equal to twenty times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is 20 micropascals (20 micronewtons) per square meter.
   (d)   "Demolition" means any dismantling, intentional destruction or removal of structures, utilities, public or private right-of-way surfaces, or similar property.
   (e)   "Emergency" means any occurrence or set of circumstances involving actual or imminent physical trauma or property damage or loss which demands immediate action.
   (f)   "Emergency work" means any work performed for the purpose of preventing or alleviating the physical trauma or property damage threatened or caused by an emergency.
   (g)   "Gross vehicle weight rating" means the value specified by the manufacturer as the recommended maximum loaded weight of a single motor vehicle. In cases where trailers and tractors are separable, the gross combination weight rating (GCWR), which is the value specified by the manufacturer as the recommended maximum loaded weight of the combination vehicle, shall be used.
   (h)   "Impulsive sound" means sound of short duration, usually less than one second, with an abrupt onset and rapid decay. Examples of sources of impulsive sound include explosions, drop forge impacts and the discharge of firearms.
   (i)   "Industrial area" means those areas specified industrial in the Zoning Code of the Codified Ordinances.
   (j)   "Motor vehicle" means every vehicle specified in Section 402.21.
   (k)   "Motorcycle" means every motor vehicle specified in Section 402.20.
   (1)   "Muffler or sound dissipative device" means a device for abating the sound of escaping gases of an internal combustion engine
   (m)   "Noise” means any sound which annoys or    disturbs humans or which causes or tends to cause an adverse psychological or physiological effect on humans.
   (n)   "Noise disturbance" means any sound which:
      (1)   Endangers or injures the safety or health of    humans or animals; or
      (2)   Annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities; or
      (3)   Endangers or injures personal or real property.
   (o)   "Person" means any individual, association, partnership or corporation and includes any officer, employee, department, agency or instrumentality of a state or any political subdivision of a state.
   (p)   "Place of public entertainment" means any commercial facility open to the general public for purposes of entertainment.
   (q)   "Powered model vehicle" means any self-propelled airborne, waterborne or landborne plane, vessel or vehicle, which is not designated to carry persons, including but not limited to, any model airplane, boat, car or rocket.
   (r)   "Public right-of-way" means any street, avenue, boulevard, highway, sidewalk or alley or similar place which is owned or controlled by a, governmental entity.
   (s)   "Public space” means any real property or structures thereon which are owned or controlled by a governmental entity.
   (t)   "Real property boundary” means an imaginary line along the ground surface, and its vertical extension, which separates the real property owned by one person from that owned by another person, but not including intra-building real property divisions.
   (u)   "Residential area" means those areas specified as such in Zoning Code of the Codified Ordinances.
   (v)   "Commercial area" means those areas specified as such in Zoning Code of the Codified Ordinances.
   (w)   "RMS sound pressure" means the square root of the time averaged square of the sound pressure, denoted Prms.
   (x)   "Sound" means an oscillation in pressure, particle displacement, particle velocity or other physical parameter, in a medium with internal forces that causes compression and rarefaction of that medium. The description of sound may include any characteristic of such sound, including duration, intensity and frequency.
   (y)   "Sound level" means the weighted sound pressure level obtained    by the use of a sound level meter and frequency weighting network, such as A, B or C as specified in American National Standards Institute specifications for sound level meters (ANSI Sl.4-1971), or the latest approved revision thereof. If the frequency weighting employed is not indicated, the A-   weighting shall apply.
   (z)   "Sound level meter" means an instrument which includes a microphone, amplifier, RMS detector, integrator or time averager, output meter, and weighting networks used to measure sound pressure levels.
   (aa)   "Sound pressure" means the instantaneous difference between the actual pressure and the average or barometric pressure at a given point in space, as produced by sound energy.
   (bb)   "Sound pressure level" means twenty times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the RMS sound pressure to the reference pressure of 20 micropascals (20 x 10 -6 N/m2). The sound pressure level is denoted Lp or SPL and is expressed in decibels.
   (cc)   "Weekday" means any day Monday through Saturday.
   (dd)   "Vibration" means an oscillatory motion of solid bodies of deterministic or random nature described by displacement, velocity or acceleration with respect to a given reference point. (Ord. 36-94. Passed 3-14-94.)
634.03 NOISE DISTURBANCES PROHIBITED.
   (a)   No person shall unreasonably make, continue, or cause to be made or continue, or permit, any noise disturbance.
   (b)   Noncommercial public speaking and public assembly activities conducted on any public space or public right-of-way shall be exempt from the operation of this section.
(Ord. 36-94. Passed 3-14-94.)
634.04 SPECIFIC PROHIBITIONS.
   The following acts, and the causing or permitting thereof, are declared to be in violation of this chapter:
   (a)   Animals and Birds. Owning, possessing or harboring any animal or bird which frequently or for continued duration, howls, barks, meows, squawks or makes other sounds which create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary.
   (b)   Explosives, Firearms and Similar Devices. The using or firing of explosives, firearms or similar devices which create impulsive sound so as to cause a noise disturbance across a real property boundary or on a public space or right-of-way, without first obtaining a special variance, with the exception of public display.
   (c)   Vehicle or Motorboat Repairs and Testing. Repairing, rebuilding, modifying or testing any motor vehicle, motorcycle or motorboat in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary.
   (d)   Adequate Mufflers or Sound Dissipative Devices.
      (1)   Operating or causing to be operated any motor vehicle or motorcycle not equipped with a muffler or other sound dissipative device in good working order and in constant operation.
      (2)   Removing or rendering inoperative, or causing to be removed or rendered inoperative, other than for purposes of maintenance, repair or replacement, any muffler or sound dissipative device on a motor Vehicle or motorcycle.
      (3)   The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine or motor boat, except through a muffler or other device in good working order and in constant operation.
   (e)   Motor Vehicles.
      (1)   Operating or permitting the operation of any motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) in excess of 10,000 pounds, or any auxiliary equipment attached to such a vehicle, for a period longer than five minutes in any hour while the vehicle is stationary, for reasons other than traffic congestion, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. the following day.
      (2)   Racing the motor of any vehicle unnecessarily or operating any motor vehicle, except in an emergency in such a manner that the vehicle is so rapidly accelerated or started from a stopped position that the exhaust system emits a loud, cracking or chattering noise unusual to its normal operation, or whereby the tires of such vehicle squeal or leave tire marks on the pavement or other surface, commonly called "peeling".
(Ord. 36-94. Passed 3-14-94.)
   (f)   Loading and Unloading. Subject to Chapter 1060 of this Code, loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans or similar objects, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. the following day, in such manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary is prohibited.
      (Ord. 140-04. Passed 11-8-04.)
   (g)   Construction. Operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling or demolition work:
      (1)   Between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary, except for work of public service utilities or during emergency situations.
      (2)   Operation of heavy equipment in connection with construction, drilling or demolition work, including, but not limited to, machinery used for earth-moving, land-clearing and/or cranes at any time on legal national holidays (New Year’s Day, Easter Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary, except for work of public service utilities or during emergency situations.
      (3)   This subsection (g) shall not apply to the use of domestic power tools subject to subsection (k) hereof. (Ord. 3-15. Passed 2-9-15.)
   (h)   Emergency Signaling Devices.
      (1)   The intentional sounding or permitting the sounding outdoors of any fire, burglar or civil defense alarm, siren, whistle or similar stationary emergency signaling device, except for emergency purposes or for testing, as provided in subsections (h) (2) and (3) hereof.
      (2)   Testing of a privately owned stationary emergency signaling device shall occur at the same time of day each time such a test is performed, but not before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. or the closing time of a commercial establishment, whichever shall occur later. Any such testing shall use only the minimum cycle test time. In no case shall such test time exceed sixty seconds.
      (3)   Testing of the complete privately owned emergency signaling system, including the functioning of the signaling device and the personnel response to the signaling device, shall not occur before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. In no case shall such test time exceed ten minutes.
      (4)   Sounding or permitting the sounding of any exterior burglar or fire alarm or any motor vehicle burglar alarm, unless such alarm is automatically terminated within two minutes of activation, or within a reasonable time after notification of activation.
      (5)   The sounding of any horn or other auditory signaling device on or in any motor vehicle on any public right-of-way or public space, except as a warning of danger.
   (i)   Radios, Television Sets, Musical Instruments and Similar Devices. Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier or similar device which produces, reproduces or amplifies sound:
      (1)   Between the hours of 9:00 p.m. (Sunday - Thursday) and 8:00 a.m., the following day and midnight (Friday and Saturday) and 8:00 a.m., the following day in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary; or
      (2)   In such a manner as to create a noise disturbance at fifty feet (fifteen meters) from such device, when operated in or on a motor vehicle on a public right-of-way or public space.
   (j)   Loudspeakers and Public Address Systems. Using, operating or permitting the operation of any loudspeaker, public address system, mobile sound vehicle or similar device amplifying sound therefrom on a public right-of-way or public space for any purpose whatever.
   (k)   Domestic Power Tools. Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, lawn or garden tool, lawnmower or other similar device used outdoors, other than powered snow removal equipment, in residential areas between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. so as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary.
   (1)   Powered Model Vehicles.
      (1)   Operating or permitting the operation of powered model vehicles so as to create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary or in a public space between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the following day.
      (2)   During the permitted period of operation, maximum sound levels in a public space shall not exceed seventy-five dBa measured at a distance of fifty feet from any point on the path of the vehicle.
      (3)   During the permitted period of operation, maximum sound levels in a residential area shall not exceed sixty dBa measured at a distance of fifty feet from any point on the path of the vehicle.
   (m)   Vibration. Operating or permitting the operation of any device that creates a vibration which is above the vibration perception threshold of an individual at or beyond the property boundary of the source. For the purposes of this section, "vibration perception threshold" means the minimum ground or structure-borne vibration motion necessary to cause a normal person to be aware of the vibration by such direct means as, but not limited to, sensation by touch or visual observation of moving objects.
      (Ord. 36-94. Passed 3-14-94.)
634.05 MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE SOUND LEVELS BY RECEIVING LAND USE.
   No person shall operate, cause to be operated, or permit on private property any source of sound in such a manner as to create a sound level which exceeds the limits set forth for the receiving land use category in Table 1 when measured at or within the property boundary of the receiving land use.
 
TABLE 1. SOUND LEVELS BY RECEIVING LAND USE

Receiving Land-Use Category

Time
Sound Level Limit DBA
Residential Zoning Districts
6:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
60
(Residential, Public Space,
Open Space or Institutional)

9.00 p.m.-6:30 a.m.
50
Commercial Zoning Districts   
At all times
65
Industrial Zoning Districts
At all times
70
 
(Ord. 36-94. Passed 3-14-94.)
634.06 EXEMPTIONS.
   (a)   The provisions of Sections 634.04 and 634.05 shall not apply to organized school-related programs, activities or events, or to municipal-authorized parades, fireworks displays or to municipal-sanctioned functions.
   (b)   The provisions of Section 634.05 shall not apply to:
      (1)   Activities covered by subsections (c), (g), (h) and (k) of Section 634.04;
      (2)   Refuse collection vehicles; or public works projects.
         (Ord. 36-94. Passed 3-14-94.)
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