Any noise level measurement made pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter shall be measured with a sound level meter in accordance with the following:
(A) Measurements shall be made in decibels (dB) using the A-weighted scale with slow response, following the manufacturer's instructions, except the fast response shall be used for impulsive sounds.
(B) Outdoor noise shall be measured at the lot line and/or at any point with the land parcel receiving the noise, where possible, the microphone shall be positioned at least 10 feet from the nearest reflective surface. For the purpose of this measurement the boundaries of any lease agreement, or operating unit or group of contiguous fee properties operated as a unit, shall be considered as the lot line.
(C) Measurements shall be made with the microphone at a height not less than five feet above the ground or floor level for outdoor measurements and for measurements within a building or on a balcony or deck, respectively.
(D) Measurements within a building for determining the noise level from exterior noises shall be made with the microphone five feet from the window (closed) and/or wall of the structure.
(E) The ambient noise level shall be measured while the alleged intruding noise source is inoperative. If for any reason the alleged intruding noise source cannot be turned off, the ambient noise level shall be estimated, if possible, by performing a measurement in the same general area of the alleged intruding noise source but a sufficient distance such that the noise from the alleged intruding noise source is at least 10 dB below the ambient noise level in order that only the actual ambient noise level be measured. If a difference of 10 dB as specified in the preceding sentence cannot be obtained within the same general area, but the alleged intruding noise source is five to 10 dB below the ambient, then the level of the ambient noise level itself may be reasonably determined by subtracting a one decibel correction to account for the contribution of the alleged intruding noise source.
('64 Code, § 52.32) (Am. Ord. 712, passed 6-11-87)