The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
"A" weighting scale means the sound pressure level, in decibels, as measured with the sound level meter using the "A" weighted network (scale). The standard unit of notation is dB(A).
Common carrier means any motor vehicle for hire by the public or any motor vehicle part of a public transportation system.
Construction means any site preparation, assembly, erection, substantial repair, alteration, or similar action, but excluding demolition.
Decibel (dB(A)). The decibel is a unit of measure of sound (noise) level relative to a standard reference sound on a logarithmic scale.
Demolition means any dismantling, intentional destruction or removal of structures, utilities, public or private right-of-way surfaces, or similar property.
Electronic sound amplification system means any radio, tape player, digital, compact disc player, loud speaker or other electronic device used for the amplification of sound.
Impulsive sound means sound of short duration, usually less than one second, with an abrupt onset and rapid decay. Examples of sources of impulsive sound include explosions, drop forge impacts, and discharge of firearms.
Modified exhaust system means an exhaust system in which the original noise abatement devices have been physically altered causing them to be less effective in reducing noise abatement devices which are not as effective in reducing noise as their original devices, or devices have been added to the original noise abatement devices such that noise levels are increased.
Motor vehicle means any vehicle which is propelled or drawn on land by a motor, such as, but not limited to, passenger cars, trucks, truck-trailers, semitrailers, campers, go-carts, amphibious craft on land, dune buggies, or racing vehicles, but not including motorcycles.
Motorboat means any vessel which operates on water and which is propelled by a motor, including, but not limited to, boats, barges, amphibious craft, water ski towing devices, jet skis and hovercraft.
Motorcycle means an unenclosed motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the operator and two or three wheels in contact with the ground, including, but not limited to, motor scooters, minibikes and mopeds.
Muffler or sound dissipative device means a device for abating the sound of escaping gases of an internal combustion engine.
Noise means any sound which disturbs humans or which causes or tends to cause an adverse psychological or physiological effect on humans or animals, or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, or endangers or injures personal or real property.
Noise sensitive zone means any area within 200 feet from the property lines of any church, other places of worship, educational institutions, and day care centers.
Public right-of-way means any street, avenue, boulevard, highway, sidewalk or alley or similar place which is owned or controlled by a governmental entity.
Public space means any real property or structures thereon which are owned or controlled by a governmental entity.
Public waterway means any navigable waters not privately owned.
Real property boundary means a line along the ground surface, and its vertical extension, which separates the real property owned by one person from that owned by another person, but not including intrabuilding real property divisions.
Residential zone means an area designated for any residential use under the town zoning laws.
Sound level (noise level) in decibels means the level measured on the A-weighted scale as defined in the American National Standards S 2.5-1991.
Sound level meter means an instrument designed for the measuring of sound levels and a means of displaying the sound level using the A-weighting network.
Unreasonably loud, disturbing, or excessive noise means any sound which because of its volume, level, duration or character disturbs, discomforts, injures or endangers the health, peace or safety of a reasonable person with normal sensitivities. For purposes of this chapter, such a sound shall be deemed to be a noise disturbance.
(Ord. No. 2021-14, § 1, 7-22-2021)