A. Whenever used in this chapter, the following words, phrases and terms shall have the meaning as indicated below:
AMBIENT NOISE LEVEL means the all-encompassing noise level associated with a given environment, being a composite of sounds from all sources, excluding the alleged offensive noise, at the location and approximate time at which a comparison with the alleged offensive noise is to be made.
CUMULATIVE PERIOD means an additive period of time composed of individual time segments that may be continuous or interrupted.
DECIBEL (dB) means a unit that denotes the ratio between two quantities which are proportional to power: the number of decibels corresponding to the ratio of 2 amounts of power is 10 times the logarithm to the base 10 of this ratio.
EMERGENCY MACHINERY, VEHICLE OR WORK means any machinery, vehicle or work used, employed or performed in an effort to protect, provide or restore safe conditions in the community or for the citizenry, or work by private or public utilities when restoring utility service.
FIXED NOISE SOURCE means a stationary device that creates sounds while fixed or motionless, including but not limited to industrial and commercial machinery and equipment, pumps, fans, compressors, generators, air conditioners and refrigeration equipment.
GRADING means any excavating or filling of earth material or any combination thereof conducted to prepare a site for construction or other improvements thereon.
IMPACT NOISE means the noise produced by the collision of one mass in motion with a second mass that may be either in motion or at rest.
MOBILE NOISE SOURCE shall mean any noise source that is not stationary, including but not limited to motorized vehicles, trains, and aircraft.
NOISE LEVEL means the "A" weighted sound pressure level in decibels obtained by using a sound level meter at slow response with a reference pressure of 20 micro-newtons per square meter. The unit of measurement shall be designated as dB(A).
PERSON means a person, firm, association, co-partnership, joint venture, corporation of any entity, public or private in nature.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY means a parcel of real property that is developed and used either in part or in whole for residential purposes, other than transient uses such as hotels and motels.
SIMPLE TONE NOISE means a noise characterized by a predominant frequency or frequencies so that other frequencies cannot be readily distinguished.
SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL of a sound, in decibels, means 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound to a reference pressure, which reference pressure shall be explicitly stated.
B. A NOISE ZONE is defined as an area where a specific set of standards has been established for allowable interior and exterior noise levels.
1. A RESIDENTIAL NOISE ZONE includes all properties with a residential zone classification, whether incorporated or unincorporated.
2. A COMMERCIAL NOISE ZONE includes all properties with a commercial or public land use zone classification, whether incorporated or unincorporated.
3. An INDUSTRIAL NOISE ZONE includes all properties with an industrial zone classification, whether incorporated or unincorporated.
(Ord. 2982, 2001)