East Palo Alto Municipal Code Art. II Definitions

"A weighted sound level" means the sound level in decibels as measured with the sound level meter using "A" weighted network. The unit of measurement is referred to as dB(A) or dBA.

(Prior code § 5-7.201)

"Background noise level" means the composite of noise from all sources, near and far, excluding the alleged offensive noise. In this context it represents the normal or existing level of environmental noise at a given location for a specified time of the day or night.

(Prior code § 5-7.202)

"Commercial facility" means any building, structure, premises or portion thereof used for wholesale or retail commercial purposes.

(Prior code § 5-7.203)

"Construction" means any site preparation, assembly, erection, substantial repair or alteration of any building, structures or land, public or private, together with any associated scientific or engineering surveys.

(Prior code § 5-7.204)

"Cumulative period" means an additive period of time composed of individual time segments which may be continuous or interrupted.

(Prior code § 5-7.205)

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

(Prior code § 5-7.206)

Any dismantling, intentional destruction or removal of structures, surfaces or similar property, public or private.

(Prior code § 5-7.207)

Any building or separate portion thereof used for residential purposes. The term includes, but is not limited to, single-family dwellings, apartments, condominiums, and other distinct residential units.

(Prior code § 5-7.208)

Any work performed to protect, maintain or restore safe and/or healthy conditions in the community, along with work performed by private or public utilities when restoring utility service.

(Prior code § 5-7.209)

Noise which impacts the area outside the outermost walls of any dwelling unit.

(Prior code § 5-7.210)

A device or machine which creates sounds while fixed or stationary, including, but not limited to residential, agricultural, industrial and commercial machinery and equipment, pumps, fans, compressors, air conditioners, refrigeration equipment and construction equipment moving within the fixed boundaries of a construction site.

(Prior code § 5-7.211)

The health officer of the city or his/her duly authorized deputy.

(Prior code § 5-7.212)

Any building or portion thereof used for the accommodation and medical care of sick, injured or infirm persons and includes rest homes, nursing homes and convalescent hospitals.

(Prior code § 5-7.213)

A noise of short duration, usually less than one second, with an abrupt onset and rapid decay.

(Prior code § 5-7.214)

Any building, structure, factory, plant, premises or portion thereof used for manufacturing or industrial purposes.

(Prior code § 5-7.217)

Noise which impacts the area within the outermost walls of any dwelling unit.

(Prior code § 5-7.215)

A noise that is repeated at nonuniform time intervals.

(Prior code § 5-7.216)

The sound level created, caused, maintained or originating from an alleged offensive intrusive noise source, measured in decibels, at a specified location while the alleged offensive intrusive noise source is in operation.

(Prior code § 5-7.219)

That noise which intrudes over and above the existing background noise at a given location. The relative intrusiveness of a sound depends upon its level, duration, frequency, time of occurrence, and tonal or informational content as well as the prevailing background noise level.

(Prior code § 5-7.218)

Any noise source other than a fixed noise source.

(Prior code § 5-7.220)

Any sound which (A) endangers or injures the safety or health of human beings, or (B) annoys or disturbs persons of normal sensitivities, or (C) endangers or injures personal or real property, or (D) violates the factors set forth in Section 8.52.340 of this chapter, or (E) violates the quantitative standards set forth in Section 8.52.320 and Section 8.52.330.

(Prior code § 5-7.221)

Any individual, association, partnership or corporation, and includes any officer, employee, department, agency or instrumentality of a state or any political subdivision of a state, or any other entity, public or private in nature.

(Prior code § 5-7.222)

The imaginary lines along the ground surface, and their vertical extension, which separate the real property owned by one person from that owned by another person, but not including intra-building real property divisions.

(Prior code § 5-7.223)

A noise that is repeated at relative uniform time intervals.

(Prior code § 5-7.224)

A parcel of real property which is developed and used either in whole or in part for residential purposes, other than transient use such as hotels or motels.

(Prior code § 5-7.225)

Any public or private institution conducting regular academic instruction or planned activity at the preschool, elementary, secondary or collegiate levels, or which provides adult or continuing education.

(Prior code § 5-7.226)

An instrument, including a microphone, an amplifier, an output meter and frequency weighing networks, for the measurement of sound levels which meets the American National Standards Institute's Standard S1.4-1971 for Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meters or an instrument and the associated recording and analyzing equipment which will provide equivalent data.

(Prior code § 5-7.228)

Any noise which is distinctly audible as a single pitch (frequency) or set of pitches as determined by the health officer.

(Prior code § 5-7.227)