(a) No person shall operate or permit to be operated a circulation device in such a manner as to create a sound level in excess of 42 dB(A) when measured inside a receiving property dwelling unit. The measurement shall be taken with the window or terrace door open at a point three feet from the open portion of the window or terrace door.
(b) On and after the effective date of this section, when a new circulation device is installed on any building lot or an existing device on any building lot is replaced, the cumulative sound from all circulation devices on such building lot owned or controlled by the owner or person in control of the new device being installed or the existing device being replaced shall not exceed 45 dB(A), when measured as specified in subdivision a of this section. For a period of two years after the effective date of this section, this subdivision shall not apply to the replacement of a circulation device that was installed on any building lot prior to the effective date of this section by a device of comparable capacity.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision b of this section, with respect to circulation devices installed on any building lot prior to the effective date of this section, the sound level limit of 42 dB(A) referred to in subdivision a of this section shall apply to each individual device except that if the cumulative sound from all devices owned or controlled by the same person on a building lot exceeds 50 dB(A), when measured as specified in subdivision a of this section, the commissioner may order the owner or person in control of such devices to achieve a 5 dB(A) reduction in such cumulative sound level within not more than 12 months after the issuance of such order.
(d) There shall be no civil penalty imposed for a first violation of this section if, within 30 days after the issuance of the notice of violation for such violation, or, if applicable, within any additional time granted by the commissioner pursuant to this subdivision, the respondent admits liability for the violation and files a certification with the department in a form and manner and containing such information and documentation as shall be prescribed in the department's rules that (i) permanent improvements or modifications have been made to the establishment, including but not limited to the installation of appropriate sound insulation, isolators, suspension mounting and/or sound mitigation devices or materials; and (ii) appropriate sound measurements taken in accordance with the department's rules substantiate that the establishment is in full compliance with the sound levels set forth in this section, and the commissioner accepts such certification of compliance. Such violation may nevertheless serve as a predicate for purposes of imposing penalties for subsequent violations of this section. If completion of such certification as prescribed in the rules of the department cannot be accomplished within 30 days after the issuance of the violation, the respondent may apply to the commissioner for additional time to submit an appropriate certification of compliance, but not more than 30 days. The respondent shall submit such application for additional time to the commissioner within 30 days after the issuance of the violation along with an admission of liability and appropriate documents demonstrating that the remediation process has begun.
(Am. L.L. 2021/080, 7/18/2021, eff. 11/15/2021)
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2005/113, L.L. 2013/153 and L.L. 2021/080.