§ 4-10.2. Definitions.

As used in this section:

Ambient noise level shall mean the all encompassing noise level associated with a given environment, being a composite of sounds from all sources, excluding the noise in question, at the location and approximate time at which a comparison with the noise in question is to be made.

'A' weighted sound level shall mean the total sound level in decibels of all sound as measured with a sound level meter with a reference pressure of twenty (20) micropascals using the 'A' weighted network (scale) at slow response. The unit of measurement shall be defined as dB(A).

Church shall mean any building or portion thereof regularly used by people as a place to worship God and known by those familiar with the neighborhood to be so used.

Commercial properties shall mean any building, structure, premises or portion thereof used for wholesale or retail purposes on which the property user or employees are engaged in work for which it is intended that compensation be received for goods or services.

Construction shall mean construction, erection, enlargements, alteration, conversion or movement of any building, structures or land together with any scientific surveys associated therewith.

Cost effective shall mean capable of achieving results which would justify the costs required.

Decibel (dB) shall mean a unit for measuring the amplitude of sounds, equal to twenty (20) times the logarithm to the base ten (10) of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is twenty (20) micropascals.

Designated officer shall mean the Planning Director or the Public Works Director or their duly authorized assistant.

Emergency work shall mean the use of any machinery, equipment, vehicle, manpower or other activity in a short term effort to protect or restore safe conditions in the community, or work by private or public utilities when restoring utility service.

Hospital shall mean any building or portion thereof used for the accommodation and medical care of the sick, injured or infirm persons and includes rest homes and nursing homes.

Impulsive noises shall mean a noise of short duration usually less than one (1) second and of high intensity with an abrupt onset and rapid decay.

Intruding noise level shall mean the total sound level in decibels, created, caused, maintained or originating from the source of the noise in question at a specified location while the source of the noise in question is in operation.

Noise disturbance shall mean any sound which endangers or injures the safety or health of human beings or annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivity. The factors which may be considered in determining whether a noise disturbance exists shall include, but not be limited to the following:

a.

The relative sound level of the objectionable noise to the ambient noise.

b.

The proximity of the objectionable noise to residential sleeping facilities or public camping facilities.

c.

The number of persons affected by the objectionable noise.

d.

The day of the week and time of day or night the objectionable noise occurs.

e.

The duration of the objectionable noise and its tonal, informational or musical content.

f.

Whether the objectionable noise is continuous, recurrent or intermittent.

g.

The nature and zoning of the area within which the objectionable noise emanates.

h.

Whether the objectionable noise can be heard two hundred (200) feet away from where it emanates, during the day; and one hundred (100) feet away from where it emanates, during the nighttime hours.

Noise in question shall mean noise suspected of exceeding the limits of subsection 4-10.4.

Noise source shall mean the person responsible for the noise in question or noise which in fact exceeds the standards of subsection 4-10.4.

Person shall mean a person, firm, association, partnership, joint venture, corporation or any entity, public or private in nature.

Recreational motor vehicle shall mean any motor vehicle (as that term is defined in the California Vehicle Code) and shall also include, but not be limited to, motorcycles, go-carts, campers, dune buggies and commercial or non-commercial racing vehicles. A recreational motor vehicle does not include a motorboat.

Residential property shall mean a parcel of real property which is developed and used solely for residential purposes.

School shall mean public or private institutions, including vocational schools, conducting regular academic instruction at preschool, kindergarten, elementary, secondary or collegiate levels.

Significant shall mean annoying or disturbing to more than a small percentage of the people within the area impacted by noise in question.

Simple tone noise shall mean a noise characterized by a predominant frequency or frequencies so that other frequencies cannot be readily distinguished. If measured, simple tone noise shall exist if the one-third (1/3) octave band sound pressure level in the band with the tone exceeds the arithmetic average of the sound pressure levels of the contiguous one-third (1/3) octave bands as follows: by five (5) dB for frequencies of five hundred (500) Hertz and above or; by eight (8) dB for frequencies between one hundred sixty (160) Hertz and four hundred (400) Hertz or; by fifteen (15) dB for frequencies less than or equal to one hundred twenty-five (125) Hertz.

Sound level meter shall mean an instrument used for measurement of sound levels, which means the American National Standard Institute's Standard S1.4-1971 or most recent revision thereof for Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meters or an instrument and the associated recording and analyzing equipment which will provide equivalent data.

Sound pressure level of a sound, in decibels, shall mean twenty (20) times the logarithm to the base ten (10) of the ratio of the pressure of the sound to a reference pressure which is twenty (20) micropascals.

(Ord. No. 2177 N.S.; Ord. No. 2793 N.S. § 1)