Unless the contrary is stated or clearly appears from the context, the following definitions govern the construction of the words and phrases used in this chapter:
A-WEIGHTING means a filter network designed to transform a frequency spectrum to that which is heard by the human ear.
AMBIENT NOISE means the composite of all noises constituting the normal or existing level of environmental noise at a given location.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES means the grading, demolition, alteration, repair or remodeling of existing structures and construction of new structures including the use of power equipment in connection with activities. CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES does not include radios or other forms of amplified music on a construction site.
DAYTIME means a time period between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
DECIBEL or its symbol of measurement (dB) means a unit for measuring the amplitude of sound,
equal to 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is 20 micropascals.
DELIVERY means the delivery or pickup or the arrival for delivery or pickup of goods, wares and merchandise by the use of a motorized vehicle, other than an automobile or train.
EQUIVALENT-ENERGY LEVEL (Leq) means the level of a steady-state noise that has the same sound energy as a given time-varying noise.
EVENT means a party, gathering or assemblage.
HOLIDAYS means New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
HOST means any person conducting and/or permitting an event including, without limitation:
(1) Owner(s) and/or lessee(s) of the property where an event is being given;
(2) Person(s) hosting an event;
(3) Person(s) receiving money or other consideration for granting access to an event;
(4) Person(s) serving, furnishing, or making available alcoholic beverages at an event;
(5) Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of a minor who is also a host.
IMPULSIVE SOUND means sound of short duration, usually less than one second, with an abrupt onset and rapid decay. Examples of IMPULSIVE SOUNDS include explosions and firearm discharge.
MOTOR VEHICLES means any and all self- propelled vehicles as defined in the Cal. Veh. Code.
MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING means any housing unit where two or more dwellings are separated by a common wall, floor, or ceiling, including, without limitation, apartments, condominiums and townhouses.
NIGHTTIME means the time period between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
NOISE DISTURBANCE means any loud, raucous, annoying, or unusual noises that offend the peace and quiet of persons of ordinary sensibilities and interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property and affects at the same time an entire neighborhood or any considerable number of persons. A NOISE DISTURBANCE includes, without limitation, any source of sound exceeding the sound level limitations established by this chapter.
NOISE LEVEL means the amplitude of sound pressure referenced to 20 micropascals, measured in decibels.
NOISE LEVEL MEASUREMENT means the procedure of measuring sound consisting of the usage of a Precision Sound Level Meter (SLM) set to "fast" response. If the Sound Level Meter is analog with a VU meter, then the response must be "slow" unless the noise issue is impulsive. The meter must be calibrated before any measurements and the microphone must be a minimum of 3-1/2 feet from any wall, floor or other large sound reflecting surface. The meter must be protected from wind or other extraneous noise by the use of screens, shields or other appropriate devices.
POLICE OFFICER means a sworn peace officer.
POWERED EQUIPMENT means a motorized device powered by electricity or fuel used for construction, demolition and property or landscape maintenance or repairs. POWERED EQUIPMENT includes, without limitation, lawn mowers, saws, generators, blowers, wood chippers, drills and nail guns.
PRECISION SOUND LEVEL METER means a sound pressure level measuring instrument which conforms to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specification S1.4 for Type 1 or Type 2 measuring instruments.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY means any property legally used for a single family or multi- family dwelling.
SOUND-AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT means any machine or equipment or device for the amplification of the human voice, music or any other sound. SOUND-AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT does not include automobile radios regulated by the Cal. Veh. Code, warning devices on authorized emergency vehicles, horns, or other warning devices on vehicles used for traffic safety purposes.
SOURCES OF SOUND includes, without limitation, amplified music, radios, televisions, musical instruments, toys or models, industrial machinery, construction equipment, animals, human voices, electrical appliances, or motor vehicles.
WORK PERSONALLY DONE BY RESIDENT OR PROPERTY OWNER means work undertaken by the property owner/resident and that person's family or acquaintances.
(Ord. 1109, passed 6-21-04)