§ 30-27. Definitions.

For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:

"A" weighing scale means the sound pressure level, in decibels, as measured with the sound level meter using the "A" weighted network (scale). The standard unit notation is dB(A).

Ambient base noise level means the average sound pressure level in dB(A) during a reasonable period of time, as determined by employing a sound level meter as described in section 30-29 and excluding impulsive sounds.

ANSI means American National Standards Institute or its successor bodies.

Construction means on-site erection, fabrication, installation, alteration, demolition or removal of any structure, facility or addition thereto, including all related activities, including, but not restricted to, clearing of land, earth moving, blasting and landscaping.

Daytime hours means 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., local time.

dB(A) means sound level in decibels, determined by the "A" weighing scale of a standard sound level meter having characteristics defined by the American National Standards Institute, Publication ANSI, 51.4-1971, for a Type 2 instrument.

Decibel (dB) means a unit of measure, on a logarithmic scale, of the ratio of the magnitude of a particular sound pressure to a standard reference pressure, which for purposes of sections 30-29 and 30-30 shall be 0.0002 microbars.

Emergency work means work made necessary to restore property to a safe condition, work required to protect, provide or prevent persons or property from danger or potential danger; or work by private or public utilities when restoring utility service.

Nighttime hours means 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., local time.

Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, association, trust, estate, public or private institution, group, agency, political subdivision of the state, any other state or political subdivision or agency thereof or any legal successor, representative, agent or agency of the foregoing.

Sound level means in decibels, a weighted sound pressure level determined by the use of a sound level meter whose characteristics and frequency weightings are specified in ANSI standards.

Sound level meter means any instrument certified to meet or exceed ANSI standards which includes an omnidirectional microphone, an amplifier, an output meter and frequency weighting network(s) for the measurement of sound level.

Sound-magnifying device means any device or machine for the magnification of a human voice, music or any other sound. Sound-magnifying device shall not include emergency warning devices on police, fire, ambulance or other emergency vehicles, nor shall it include horns or steam whistles which are used for purposes authorized by subsections 30-31(a) and (e), respectively.

Sound pressure level means in decibels, 20 times the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the magnitude of a particular sound pressure to the standard reference pressure. The standard reference pressure is 0.0002 microbars.

Prohibited noise means any excessive or unusually loud sound or any sound which disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood or which does annoy, disturb, injure or endanger the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of any person or causes damage to property or business. Additionally, any sound that exceeds the sound emission decibel levels set forth in this article shall also constitute prohibited noise.

(Res. of 11-4-13, § 30-32)