§ 7-5.3 SAME—TESTS AND STANDARDS.

   (A)   Factors to consider. The standards which shall be considered in determining whether a violation of § 7-5.1 and § 7-5.2 exist shall include, but shall not be limited to the following:

      (1)   The volume of the noise;

      (2)   The intensity of the noise;

      (3)   Whether the nature of the noise is usual or unusual;

      (4)   Whether the origin of the noise is natural or unnatural;

      (5)   The volume and intensity of the background noise, if any;

      (6)   The proximity of the noise to residential sleeping facilities;

      (7)   The nature and zoning of the area within which the noise emanates;

      (8)   The density of inhabitation of the area within which the noise emanates;

      (9)   The time of day or night the noise occurs;

      (10)   The duration of the noise;

      (11)   Whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent or constant; and

      (12)   Whether the noise is produced by a commercial or non-commercial activity.

   (B)   Tables.

Table I—Limiting Noise Levels For Use Districts
Octave Band		Maximum Permissible Sound Pressure
Center Frequency		(Levels in Decibels re 0.0002 Microbars)
Cycles per Second
	Residential	Use District Commercial	Manufacturing
Below 75	65	79	80
75—150	60	74	75
150—300	55	66	70
300—600	55	59	64
600—1,200	45	53	58
1,200—2,400	45	47	53
2,400—4,800	40	41	49
Above 4,800	40	49	46

 

      (1)   If the noise is not smooth and continuous, one or more of the corrections in Table II below shall be added to, or subtracted from, each of the decibel levels given in Table I.

Table II—Type of Operation in Character of Noise (Correction in Decibels)

Noise source operated less than 20% of any one-hour period: plus 5*.

Noise source operated less than 5% of any one-hour period: plus 10*.

Noise source operated less than 1% of any one-hour period: plus 15*.

Noise of impulsive character (hammering and the like): minus 5.

Noise of periodic character (hum, screech and the like): minus 5.

NOTES TO TABLE:

*Apply one of these corrections only.

 

      (2)   If the noise occurs between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Monday through Saturday or at any time on Sunday or a holiday, seven shall be subtracted from each of the decibel levels given in Table I.

   (C)   Motorized vehicles. It shall be unlawful to operate a motorized vehicle within the city limits which creates a noise or sound which exceeds the noise level limits set out in Table III below.

Table III—Limiting Noise Levels From Vehicles

Trucks and buses:

Over 10,000 pounds:

93 dB(A) measured at 50 feet—maximum allowable limit

97 dB(A) measured at 25 feet—maximum allowable limit

Under 10,000 pounds:

80 dB(A) measured at 50 feet—maximum allowable limit

86 dB(A) measured at 25 feet—maximum allowable limit

Passenger cars:

78 dB(A) measured at 50 feet—maximum allowable limit

84 dB(A) measured at 25 feet—maximum allowable limit

Motorcycles, including other vehicles:

87 dB(A) measured at 50 feet—maximum allowable limit

93 dB(A) measured at 25 feet—maximum allowable limit

 

(1989 Code, § 12-8; 2003 Code, § 7-5.3)