§ 94.04. Maximum permissible sound levels.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    It shall be unlawful, except as expressly permitted herein, to make, cause or allow the making of any noise or sound which violates the provisions of this chapter.

    (b)

    No person shall operate or cause to be operated any source of sound from any location in such a manner as to create a sound level which exceeds the limits set forth in Table I below for property in the receiving land use category when measured at or beyond the approximate real property line of the receiving property.

    (c)

    For any source of sound, the sound level shall not exceed the sound levels set forth in Table I for each land use category.

    (d)

    Sound projected from one property into another property within the same land use category shall not exceed the limit of that land use category. Sound projected from one land use category into another land use category with a different limit shall not exceed the limit of the receiving land use category.

    (e)

    In the event an industrial or commercial land use category has been established on property not adjacent to a residential land use category and the adjacent property subsequently becomes a residential land use category, the noise projected from the operations of the preexisting industrial or commercial land use category into the residential land use category shall be subject to the sound level limits set forth in Table I for industrial or commercial land use categories, as appropriate.

    (f)

    In the event the sound level limits for property in a preexisting land use category are more restrictive than those for a subsequent land use category established for the same property, the sound level limits for the preexisting land use category shall apply.

    (g)

    For any sound projected at any time on Sunday or a holiday, the sound level limits set forth in Table I for the time between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. shall apply.

    (h)

    Sound level measurements shall be made with a sound level meter using the A-weighted or C-weighted scale in accordance with the standards promulgated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

    (i)

    Noise which is plainly audible at a distance of one hundred (100) feet or more in any direction from the source of the noise shall constitute a violation of this chapter. This includes, but is not limited to, amplified sound and self-contained, portable, hand-held music or sound amplification or reproduction equipment operated on private property, public property, or public right-of-way.

    _____

    TABLE I
    Maximum Noise Levels in
    A and C-Weighted Decibels

    This Table establishes the maximum permissible noise levels by receiving land use category, measured in A-weighted or C-weighted decibels, which may be generated in the defined locations at the described time periods. As used below, dBA and dBC shall be the symbol designations of a noise level, using the A-weighting or C-weighting network of sound level meters.

    Land Use
    Category
    7:00 AM — 11:00 PM 11:00 PM — 7:00 AM
    Residential 60 dBA/
    65 dBC
    55 dBA/
    60 dBC
    Commercial 65 dBA/
    70 dBC
    60 dBA/
    65 dBC
    Industrial 65 dBA/
    70 dBC
    65 dBA/
    70 dBC

     

(Ord. 91-43, passed 7-8-91; Ord. No. 16-08, § 3, 2-22-16)

Cross reference

Enforcement, penalties, alternate means of enforcement, see section 94.08.