For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“A” WEIGHTING SCALE. The sound pressure level in decibels as measured with a sound level meter using the “A” weighted network. The standard unit notation is db(A).
AMBIENT BASE NOISE LEVEL. The average sound pressure level in db(A) during a reasonable period of time, as determined by employing a sound level meter as described in § 92.06.
ANSI. American National Standards Institute or its successor organization.
CONSTRUCTION. On-site erection, fabrication, installation, alteration, demolition or removal of any structure, facility or addition thereto, including all related activities, including, but not restricted to, clearing of land, earth moving, blasting and landscaping.
db(A). Sound level in decibels determined by the “A” weighting scale of a standard sound level meter having characteristics defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Publications ANSI, S1.4 4, latest edition.
DECIBEL. A unit of measure on a logarithmic scale, of the ratio of the magnitude of a particular sound pressure to a standard reference pressure, which for purposes of this chapter shall be 20 micronewtons/meter.
DISTURBING. Noise that is perceived by a person of ordinary sensibilities as interrupting the normal peace and calm of daily life. In determining whether a noise is unreasonably loud and DISTURBING, the following factors incident to the noise are to be considered: time of day; proximity to occupied residential structures; whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent or constant; the volume and intensity; the character and zoning (if applicable) of the area; whether the noise is related to the normal operations of a business or other labor activity and whether the noise is subject to being controlled without unreasonable effort or expense to the creator, thereof.
DULY AUTHORIZED INVESTIGATING PERSON OR AGENT. A person or agent is duly authorized if he or she is an employee of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office.
EMERGENCY WORK. Work made necessary to restore property to a safe condition; work required to protect, provide, or prevent persons or property from danger or potential danger; or work by a private or public utility when restoring utility service.
IMPACT NOISE. Sound that occurs intermittently rather than continuously.
PERSON. Any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, association, trust, estate, public or private institution, group, agency, political subdivision of the state any other state or political subdivision or agency thereof or any legal successor, employee, representative, agent or agency of the foregoing.
SOUND LEVEL. In decibels, a weighted sound pressure level determined by the use of a sound level meter whose characteristics and frequency weightings are specified in the ANSI Standard.
SOUND LEVEL METER. Any instrument certified to meet or exceed ANSI standards which includes omni-directional microphone, an amplifier, an output meter, and frequency weighting network(s) for the measurement of sound level.
SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL. In decibels 20 times the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the magnitude of a particular sound pressure to the standard pressure. The standard pressure is 20 micronewtons/meter.
UNREASONABLY LOUD. Noise which is substantially incompatible with the time and location where created to the extent that it interferes with peace or good order.
WEEKDAY. Any day except Sunday.
(Ord. passed 9-18-2006; Ord. passed 10-19-2015)