(A) The use of sound-amplifying equipment is limited to the conditions specified in this section.
(B) Outdoor amplified sound, including a live musical group or individual using sound-amplifying equipment, may be produced only if an authorized agent of the sponsoring business, organization or group had been granted an “outdoor amplified sound permit”. This permit must be signed by a representative of the business, organization or group holding or sponsoring the event at which the outdoor amplified sound will be produced.
(C) Except as allowed in division (D) below, no personnel shall operate or cause to be operated any source of sound in such a manner as to create a sound level which at its peak exceeds the limits set forth for the use occupancy categories in Table I below when measured at or beyond the property line of the property from which the sound originates. For purposes of measurement, the back of the curb, the outside edges of driveways, fences, hedges or other physical features commonly associated with property boundaries are presumed to be at a point which is at or beyond the property line. In all cases, the maximum sound level permitted by use occupancy shall be determined on the basis of the use occupancy of the property from which the sound originates and not by the use occupancy of any surrounding property. Sound which originates from a dwelling unit in a duplex or other multi-family housing unit shall be measured from any point which is at least 25 lineal feet, whether inside or outside a building, from the nearest point of the enclosed or habitable space of the dwelling unit from which the sound originates.
Table I: Sound Levels by Use Occupancy | ||
Use Occupancy Category | Time | Sound Level Limit (dB(A)) |
Manufacturing, industrial or agricultural | At all times | 75 |
Public space, commercial or business | 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. | 65 |
11:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. | 55 | |
Residential | 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. | 60 |
11:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. | 55 | |
(D) Sound levels in excess of the limits established in Table I will be permitted in public space, commercial or business space, manufacturing, industrial or agricultural space, but not on residential space, as follows:
Table II | ||
Days and Times | Without Permit (dB(A)) | With Permit to Exceed (dB(A)) |
Friday evening (5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.) | 70 | 80 |
Saturday evening (10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.) | 70 | 80 |
Holidays (as defined in § 131.01) (12:00 noon - 11:00 p.m.) | 70 | 80 |
(E) No property owner shall allow a noise-related nuisance or health or safety hazard to be created or maintained by or on account of tenants of the property owner. For purposes of this division (E), a noise-related nuisance or health or safety hazard shall be deemed to exist when a tenant or group of tenants at a specific location receives a third citation for a chapter violation pursuant to this section. The property owner shall be liable for the costs of remedying the nuisance or health or safety hazard in accordance with the provisions of § 131.99 of this chapter. A property owner may be held liable for the cost of abating the nuisance or remedying the health or safety hazard only if the property owner has been notified in writing, via actual delivery of certified mail, of the first two ordinance violations. A property owner shall be liable for the costs of abating the nuisance or remedying the health or safety hazard upon the third and any subsequent action by the same tenant at a specific location; provided, the third violation occurs at least 15 days from the date of actual receipt of notice of the second violation. It shall be a complete defense to a citation under this section if the owner of the real property involved can prove that he or she is actively pursuing an eviction process was begun prior to the date of the third or any subsequent violation by the same tenant at a specific location.
(2005 Code, § 50-39) (Ord. passed 1-8-1996; Ord. passed 6-2-1997; Ord. 0931, passed 3-9-2009) Penalty, see § 131.99