For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“A” BAND LEVEL. The total sound level of all noise as measured with a sound level meter using the “A” weighting network. The unit is the dbA.
AMBIENT NOISE. The all-encompassing noise associated with a given environment, usually being a composite of sounds with many sources near and far.
BAND PRESSURE LEVEL or BAND PRESSURE LEVEL OF A SOUND. For a specified frequency band, shall mean the sound pressure level for the sound contained within the restricted band.
COMMERCIAL PURPOSE. The use, operation or maintenance of any sound amplifying equipment for the purpose of advertising any business, or any goods or any services, or for the purpose of attracting the attention of the public to or advertising for, or soliciting patronage of customers to or for any performance, show, entertainment, exhibition or event, or for the purpose of demonstrating any sound equipment.
CYCLE. The complete sequence of values of a periodic quantity which occurs during a period.
DECIBEL (db). A unit of level which denotes the ratio between two quantities which are proportional to power; the number of decibels corresponding to the ratio of two amounts of power is ten times the logarithm to the base ten of this ratio.
EMERGENCY WORK. Work made necessary to restore property to a safe condition following a public calamity or work required to protect persons or property from an imminent exposure to danger.
FREQUENCY or FREQUENCY OF A FUNCTION PERIODIC IN TIME. The reciprocal of the primitive period. The unit is the cycle per unit time and shall be specified.
MICROBAR. A unit of pressure commonly used in acoustics and is equal to one dyne per square centimeter.
MOTOR VEHICLES. Includes, but not be limited to, minibikes and go-carts.
NONCOMMERCIAL PURPOSE. The use, operation or maintenance of any sound equipment for other than a commercial purpose. NONCOMMERCIAL PURPOSE shall mean and include, but shall not be limited to, philanthropic, political, patriotic and charitable purposes.
PERIOD or PERIOD OF A PERIODIC QUANTITY. The smallest increment of time for which the function repeats itself.
PERIODIC QUANTITY. Oscillating quantity, the values of which recur for equal increments of time.
SOUND AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT. Any machine or device for the amplification of the human voice, music or any other sound. SOUND AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT shall not include standard automobile radios when used and heard only by the occupants of the vehicle in which the automobile radio is installed. SOUND AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT, as used in this chapter, shall not include warning devised on authorized emergency vehicles or horns or other warning devised on any vehicle used only for traffic safety purposes.
SOUND ANALYZER. A device for measuring the band pressure level or pressure spectrum level of a sound as a function of frequency.
SOUND-LEVEL METER. An instrument including a microphone, an amplifier, an output meter and frequency weighting networks for the measurement of noise and sound levels in a specified manner.
SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL. In decibels of a sound shall mean 20 times the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the pressure of this sound to the reference pressure, which reference pressure shall be explicitly stated.
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.
SPECTRUM or SPECTRUM OF A FUNCTION OF TIME. A description of its resolution into components, each of a different frequency.
(Prior Code, § 17-19) (Ord. 73-5, passed 6-11-1973)