§ 130.01 DEFINITIONS.

   (A)   For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

      A-WEIGHTED SOUND LEVEL. The sound pressure level of a sound measured through an A-weighing filter network. The level read is designated DB(A) or DBA.

      COMMERCIAL ZONE. Zones C-1, C-2 and C-3, as defined in Ch. 156 of this code of ordinances.

      DECIBEL. The unit used for comparing the sound pressure level of a sound to the sound pressure level of a reference sound having a sound pressure of 20 micropascals.

      FREQUENCY. The number of periodic oscillations, vibrations or waves per unit time (usually one second).

      HERTZ (HZ). The unit used for measuring the frequency of a sound. The number of HERTZ is the number of cycles per second of a periodic sound pressure wave.

      INDUSTRIAL ZONE. Zones I-1 and 1-2, as defined in Ch. 156 of this code of ordinances.

      LIGHT MOTOR VEHICLE. Any motorized vehicle with gross vehicular weight less than 8,000 pounds, including automobiles, vans, motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, motor scooters, dune buggies, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, go-karts, mini-bikes, trail bikes and light trucks.

      MODIFIED EXHAUST SYSTEMS. Any exhaust system in which the original noise abatement devices have been removed, altered or replaced to produce more noise.

      NOISE. Any sound subject to complaint.

      OCTAVE BANK. A portion of the entire sound frequency spectrum contained between two frequencies A and B, such that A=2B.

      PERSON. Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.

      PLAINLY AUDIBLE. Any noise for which the information content is unambiguously communicated to the listener, including understandable spoken speech, comprehension of whether a voice is raised (agitated) or normal or comprehensible musical rhythms.

      RESIDENTIAL ZONE. Zones R-1, R-2 and R-3, as defined in Ch. 156 of this code of ordinances.

      SOUND LEVEL METER. An instrument designed to measure sound pressure levels.

      SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL.

         (a)   Twenty times the logarithm (base 10) of the ratio of the measured sound pressure to a reference pressure of 20 micropascals.

         (b)   The SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL is expressed in decibels (DB).

               SPL = 20 LOG      SOUND PRESSURE A
                  10         SOUND PRESSURE B

      Sound pressure A = measured sound pressure

      Sound pressure B = reference sound pressure (20 micropascals)

   (B)   All other terminology used in this chapter which is not specifically defined shall be in conformance with applicable publications of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or its successor body.

(2005 Code, § 73.01)