(A) Purpose and scope. It is the purpose of these regulations to state the maximum sound levels that vehicles shall be allowed to emit when used on traffic ways of the city. These regulations are intended to limit maximum sound levels to those consistent with the physical, mental and social well-being of the people.
(B) Application.
(1) These regulations shall apply to all vehicles wherever operated on the traffic ways of the city.
(2) These regulations shall apply to sounds of any time duration.
(3) For the purpose of these regulations, those persons who are the vehicle owner(s) or operator(s) may be held responsible separately or jointly for a violation.
(C) Exemptions.
(1) All vehicular warning devices authorized for use under the Traffic Code of the city; and
(2) Back-up alarm devices on trucks when installed and operated in accordance with the Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice 1994, Criteria for Back-up Alarm Devices.
(D) Light vehicles. It is unlawful for any person to operate, nor shall its owner permit the operation of a light vehicle, or any auxiliary device attached to or required for the operation of the vehicle, on any traffic way in a manner that it emits noise at levels in excess of the limits specified in Table A-1.
Table A-1: Noise Level Limits for Light Vehicles Operated in Cannon Falls on or after 1-1-1977 | |||
Measurement District from Centerline of a Vehicle | |||
Posted Speed Limit | 20 Feet | 25 Feet | 50 Feet |
Table A-1: Noise Level Limits for Light Vehicles Operated in Cannon Falls on or after 1-1-1977 | |||
Measurement District from Centerline of a Vehicle | |||
Posted Speed Limit | 20 Feet | 25 Feet | 50 Feet |
25 mph or less | 69 dBA | 67 dBA | 61 dBA |
30 mph | 71 dBA | 69 dBA | 63 dBA |
35 mph | 73 dBA | 71 dBA | 65 dBA |
40 mph | 75 dBA | 73 dBA | 67 dBA |
45 mph | 77 dBA | 75 dBA | 69 dBA |
50 mph | 79 dBA | 77 dBA | 71 dBA |
55 mph | 81 dBA | 79 dBA | 73 dBA |
60 mph or more | 83 dBA | 81 dBA | 75 dBA |
(E) Heavy vehicles. It is unlawful for any person to operate nor shall its owner permit the operation of a heavy vehicle or any auxiliary device attached to or required for the operation of the vehicle on any traffic way in a manner that it emits noise at levels in excess of the limits specified in Table B-1.
Table B-1: Noise Level Limits for Heavy Vehicles Operated in Cannon Falls on or after 1-1-1977 | ||||
Posted Speed Limit | Time Periods When Applicable | Measurement Distance from Centerline of a Vehicle | ||
25 Feet | 25 Feet | 50 Feet | ||
Table B-1: Noise Level Limits for Heavy Vehicles Operated in Cannon Falls on or after 1-1-1977 | ||||
Posted Speed Limit | Time Periods When Applicable | Measurement Distance from Centerline of a Vehicle | ||
25 Feet | 25 Feet | 50 Feet | ||
35 mph or less | Daytime | 83 dBA | 81 dBA | 75 dBA |
Evening | 75 dBA | 73 dBA | 67 dBA | |
Night | 73 dBA | 71 dBA | 65 dBA | |
Holiday | 73 dBA | 71 dBA | 65 dBA | |
Sunday | 73 dBA | 71 dBA | 65 dBA | |
More than 35 mph | All | 83 dBA | 81 dBA | 75 dBA |
(F) Mufflers.
(1) It is unlawful for any person to operate, nor shall its owner permit the operation of, a vehicle on a traffic way with a motor the exhaust system of which has been altered, modified or repaired in a way that the noise emitted by the motor's exhaust system is increased above that emitted by the exhaust system with which the motor came originally equipped from the manufacturer.
(2) The burden of proof shall be on the owner and/or operator of a vehicle with an altered, modified, repaired or reconstructed motor exhaust system to submit evidence that the system meets the provisions of division (F)(1) above.
(G) Measurement of noise levels.
(1) Persons who measure noise levels for the purpose of enforcing these regulations shall be trained in the techniques of sound measurement and qualified in the use of the instruments required to make the measurements.
(2) A sound level meter shall be used in measuring noise levels, except that:
(a) The B and C weighting networks and the "slow" meter dynamic response characteristic need not be incorporated; and
(b) A "hold" network may be incorporated.
(3) Measurements shall be made in accordance with good professional practice. In particular:
(a) The "A" weighting network shall be used;
(b) The "fast" meter response characteristic shall be used when measuring vehicular noise levels;
(c) Sound level calibrators of the auxiliary closed-coupler type specified in ANSI Standard S1.4-1971, or its most recent revision shall be used;
(d) Windscreens shall be used whenever appropriate;
(e) Where measurements are made of vehicles in motion, the traffic way surface near the point of measurement shall normally be dry, of concrete or asphalt, free of extraneous loose material and free of sharp bumps, chuckholes, wide cracks and patches needing repair;
(f) Measurements shall normally not be used for enforcement unless the noise level at a point of measurement while a vehicle is operated is three or more decibels greater than the ambient noise level; and
(g) The ambient noise level may be estimated from sound levels measured before and/or after the passage of a moving vehicle or by sound levels measured at one or more points near the point of measurement.
(Prior Code, § 8.20, Subd. 4)