All terminology used in this chapter, not defined in this section, shall be in conformance with applicable publications of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or its successor body.
A WEIGHTED SOUND LEVEL. The sound level in decibels as measured on a sound level meter using the A weighted network. The level so read is designated dB(A) or dBA.
AMBIENT NOISE LEVEL. The composite of noise from all sources near and far. In this context, the ambient noise level constitutes the normal or existing level of environmental noise at a given location.
COMMERCIAL AREA. Any part of the areas designated as commercial zones by the zoning ordinance of the town.
CONSTRUCTION. Any site preparation, assembly, erection, substantial repair, alteration or similar action, for or of public or private rights-of-way, structures, utilities or similar property.
DECIBEL. A unit for measuring the amplitude of a sound, equal to 20 times the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is 20 micropascals.
DEMOLITION. Any dismantling, intentional destruction or removal of structures, utilities, public or private right-of-way surfaces or similar property.
EMERGENCY WORK. Any work performed for the purpose of preventing or alleviating the physical trauma or property damage threatened or caused by an emergency.
FIXED NOISE SOURCE. A stationary device which creates sounds while fixed or motionless, including, but not limited to residential, agricultural, industrial and commercial machinery and equipment, pumps, fans, compressors, air conditioners and refrigeration equipment.
IMPULSIVE SOUND. 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.
NOISE DISTURBANCE. Any sound which, as judged by the Chief of Police or his or her designated representative, violates the limits set forth in the table of § 8.20.050 of this chapter. Compliance with this chapter shall constitute elimination of a noise disturbance.
NOISE ZONE. Any defined areas or regions of a generally consistent land use as shown on Exhibit A, Noise Zones of the Town of Fairfax, attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter and available for inspection in the office of the Town Clerk.
PERSON. 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.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. Any real property or structures thereon which are owned or controlled by a governmental entity.
PUBLIC SPACE. Any real property or structures thereon which are owned or controlled by a governmental entity.
PURE TONE. Any sound which can be judged as audible as a single pitch or a set of single pitches by the Chief of Police or his or her designated representative. In case of dispute, a PURE TONE shall exist if the one-third-octave band sound pressure level in the band with the tone exceeds the arithmetic average of the sound pressure levels of the two contiguous one-third-octave bands by five decibels for center frequencies of 500 Hertz and above and by eight decibels for center frequencies between 160 and 40 Hertz and by 15 decibels for center frequencies less than or equal to 125 Hertz.
REAL PROPERTY BOUNDARY. 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.
RESIDENTIAL AREA. Any part of the areas designated as residential zones by the zoning ordinance of the town.
SOUND-AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT. Any device for the amplification of the human voice, music or any other sound, excluding standard automobile radios when used and heard only by the occupants of the vehicle in which the radio is installed, and, as used in this chapter, warning devices on authorized emergency vehicles or horns or other warning devices on any vehicle used only for traffic safety purposes.
SOUND LEVEL METER. An instrument, including a microphone, an amplifier, an output meter and frequency weighting networks for the measurement of sound levels, which meets or exceeds the requirements pertinent for type S2A meters in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications for sound level meters, S1.4-1971, or the most recent revision thereof.
SOUND TRUCK. Any motor vehicle, or any other vehicle, regardless of motive power, whether in motion or stationary, having mounted thereon or attached thereto, any sound-amplifying equipment.
WEEKDAY. Any day, Monday through Friday, which is not a legal holiday.
(Prior Code, § 8.16.020) (Ord. 481, passed - -1981)