The following acts, and the causing or permitting thereof, are hereby declared to be in violation of this chapter:
(a) Air Conditioners. Maintaining any refrigeration machinery or air conditioning, consisting of air compressors or rotating or reciprocating machinery, in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a country home district property boundary. Maximum levels shall not exceed sixty dBA at fifty feet from the source between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. and fifty dBA at fifty feet from the source between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. of the following day.
(b) Construction. Operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling or demolition work or manufacturing or similar factory work, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. of the following day, or after 8:00 p.m. and before 9:00 a.m. on Sundays, such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a country home district property boundary, except for emergency work of public service utilities or by special variance.
During the permitted period of operation, maximum sound levels in residential areas shall not exceed sixty dBA measured at a distance of fifty feet from the vehicle or other noise sound.
(c) Emergency Signaling Devices.
(1) The intentional sounding or permitting the sounding, outdoors, of any fire, burglar or civil defense alarm, siren, whistle or similar stationary emergency signaling device, except for emergency purposes or for testing, as provided in this section. Testing of a stationary emergency signaling device shall occur at the same time of day each time such a test is performed, but not before 7:30 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m., or the closing time of a commercial establishment, whichever shall occur later. Any such testing shall use only the minimum cycle test time. In no case shall such test time exceed sixty seconds. Testing of the complete emergency signaling system, including the functioning of the signaling device and the personnel response to the signaling device, shall not occur before 7:30 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. In no case shall such a test exceed ten minutes.
(2) Sounding or permitting the sounding of any exterior burglar or fire alarm or any motor vehicle burglar alarm, unless such alarm is automatically terminated within two minutes of activation or within a reasonable time after notification of activation.
(3) The sounding of any horn or other auditory signaling device on or in any motor vehicle, on any public right-of-way or public space, except as a warning of danger.
(d) Explosives, Firearms or Similar Devices. The using or firing or explosives, firearms or similar devices which create impulsive sound so as to cause a noise disturbance across a real property boundary or on a public space or right-of-way, without first obtaining a special variance therefor.
(e) Loading or Unloading. Loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans or similar objects between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. of the following day, or after 10:00 p.m. and before 10:00 a.m. on Sundays, in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a country home district property boundary.
(f) Loudspeakers/Public Address Systems.
(1) Using, operating or permitting the operation of any loudspeaker, public address system, mobile sound vehicle or similar device amplifying sound therefrom on a public right-of-way or public space for any commercial purpose, except as otherwise provided in Section 834.07 of the Business Regulation and Taxation Code.
(2) Using, operating or permitting, for any noncommercial purpose, any loudspeaker, public address system, mobile sound vehicle or similar device between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. of the following day, such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary.
(g) Places of Public Entertainment. Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical or amplifies sound in any enclosed place of public entertainment at a sound level greater than ninety-five dBA as read with a slow response on a sound level meter at any point which is normally occupied by a customer, unless a conspicuous and legible sign is located outside such place near each public entrance stating, “WARNING: SOUND LEVELS WITHIN MAY CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT”.
(h) Radios, Television Sets, Musical Instruments and Similar Devices. Operating, playing or permitting the operation of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument or similar device which produces, reproduces or amplifies sound:
(1) Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. of the following day on weekdays, and before 10:00a.m. and after 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary; or
(2) In such a manner as to create a continuing noise disturbance in excess of fifty dBA at fifty feet from such a device, when operated in or on a motor vehicle on a public right-of-way or public space.
(i) Vehicle or Motorboat Repairs and Testing. Repairing, rebuilding, modifying or testing any motor vehicle, motorcycle, motor bicycle or motorboat in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary.
(j) Animals and Birds. Owning, possessing or harboring any animal or bird which frequently or continuously howls, barks, meows, squawks or makes other sounds which create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary.
(Ord. 96-10-3. Passed 12-3-96; Ord. 2012-4-7. Passed 4-3-12; Ord. 2014-7-6. Passed 7-1-14; Ord. 2017-9-11. Passed 11-7-17.)