(a) Continuous Sound.
(1) No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation of any source of sound on any source property listed in Section 532.02 in such a manner as to create a sound level that exceeds the sound level limits listed in Table I, as measured at any location at or within the property line of the receptor property. Sound pressure levels in excess of those established in Table I shall constitute prima facie evidence that such sound is in violation of this chapter.
TABLE 1
PERMISSIBLE SOUND LEVEL LIMITS
Equivalent-continuous sound level (average sound level)
Receiving Property | Daytime Limit (Dawn to 10:00 p.m.) Leq. dB(A) | Nighttime Limits (10:00 p.m. to Dawn) Leq. dB (A) |
Residential | 60 | 55 |
Commercial | 65 | 65 |
Industrial | 70 | 70 |
(1) These limits may not be exceeded by any single incident representing the normal, usual operation of the sound source, during any sampling interval, the duration of which shall be no less than five minutes, within any one-hour period. For example, if a motor fan belt were to squeal for twenty seconds upon starting, but the sound was emitted with regularity from this source, a single measurement shall be sufficient.
(2) Nothing in this section supersedes the requirements of employers to comply with the Occupational Noise Exposure Standard of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (29 CFR Part 1910.95).
(b) Intermittant Sound.
(1) Between dawn and 10:00 p.m. impulsive sounds, which occur less than ten times in an hour, shall not equal or exceed 20 decibels above the permissible sound level limits in Table I. Impulsive sound which repeats ten or more times in any hour shall not exceed the permissible sound level limits in Table I.
(2) Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and dawn., impulsive sounds which occur less than four times in an hour shall not equal or exceed 20 decibels above the permissible sound level limits in Table I. Impulsive sound which repeats four or more times in any hour shall not exceed the permissible sound level limits in Table I.
(c) Steady Pure Tones. If the sound source under investigation is a mechanical device, and is in the investigating Noise Administrator’s opinion emitting a sound with a steady pure tonal quality, the permissible sound level limits in Table I shall be reduced by 5 dB(A). The sound emissions must be comprised of a single frequency or a narrow cluster of frequencies, which may be referred to as a whine, hum or buzz. The measured sound levels of such a source will typically not fluctuate by more than plus or minus 3 dB. Such sound sources include, but are not limited to, heating, ventilating or air-conditioning units; refrigeration units; and transformers.
(Ord. 07-01. Passed 2-12-07.)
(Ord. 07-01. Passed 2-12-07.)