A. The noise standards for the categories of land uses identified in table 1 of this section shall, unless otherwise specifically indicated, apply to all such property within a designated zone.
TABLE 1
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE SOUND LEVELS BY RECEIVING LAND USE
Receiving Land Use Category | Time Period | Noise Level - dBA |
Single-family residential districts | 10:00 P.M. – 7:00 A.M. 7:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M. | 50 60 |
Multi-family residential districts; public space; institutional | 10:00 P.M. – 7:00 A.M. 7:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M. | 50 60 |
Commercial | 10:00 P.M. – 7:00 A.M. 7:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M. | 60 65 |
Industrial | Any time | 75 |
B. No person shall operate, or cause to be operated, any source of sound at any location within the city or allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by such person which causes the noise level when measured on any other property to exceed:
1. The noise standard for that land use specified in table 1 of this section for a cumulative period of more than thirty (30) minutes in any hour; or
2. The noise standard specified in table 1 of this section plus five (5) dB for a cumulative period of more than fifteen (15) minutes in any hour; or
3. The noise standard specified in table 1 of this section plus ten (10) dB for a cumulative period of more than five (5) minutes in any hour; or
4. The noise standard specified in table 1 of this section plus fifteen (15) dB for a cumulative period of more than one minute in any hour; or
5. The noise standard specified in table 1 of this section plus twenty (20) dB or the maximum measured ambient level, for any period of time.
C. If the measured ambient level exceeds the allowable noise exposure standard within any of the first four (4) noise limit categories above, the allowable noise exposure standard shall be adjusted in five (5) dB increments in each category as appropriate to encompass or reflect said ambient noise level. In the event the ambient noise level exceeds the fifth noise limit category, the maximum allowable noise level under this category shall be increased to reflect the maximum ambient noise level.
D. The ambient noise shall be measured at the same location along the property line utilized in subsection 8.06.060B of this chapter, with the alleged offending noise source inoperative. If the alleged offending noise source cannot be shut down, the ambient noise shall be estimated by performing a measurement in the same general area of the source but at a sufficient distance that the noise from the source is at least ten (10) dB below the ambient in order that only the ambient level be measured. If the difference between the ambient and the noise source is five (5) to ten (10) dB, then the level of the ambient itself can be reasonably determined by subtracting a one decibel correction to account for the contribution of the source.
E. In the event the alleged offensive noise contains a steady, audible tone such as a whine, screech, hum, or is a repetitive noise such as hammering or riveting, or contains music or speech conveying informational content, the standard limits set forth in table 1 of this section shall be reduced by five (5) dB. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 2004)