Sec. 34-27. - Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Administrative services officer means the city administrative officer.

Ambient noise level means the noise level exceeded 90 percent of the time for the period being measured. The ambient noise level is the all-encompassing noise level associated with a given environment, being a composite of all sounds from all sources, excluding the alleged offensive noise, at the location and approximate time at which a comparison with the alleged offensive noise is to be made. For the purposes of enforcement of this article, the maximum permissible ambient noise level shall be no greater than the following noise levels for each of the indicated zones:

Building official means the director of building and planning or the director's duly authorized representative.

Commission means the planning and preservation commission.

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

Decibel (dB) means a unit which denotes the ratio between two quantities which are proportional to power; the number of decibels corresponding to the ratio of two amounts of power is ten times the logarithm to the base 10 of this ratio.

Development means the activity of preparing land and constructing facilities in order to establish a land use. A development also means a lot or project area together with the completed facilities and improvements thereon.

Director, with respect to amplified sound permit applications for use of sound amplifying equipment on public streets or public right-of-ways, means the director of the public works department, or the director's duly authorized representative, and with respect to amplified sound permit applications for use of sound amplifying equipment in or outside of rooms, stadiums, structures or public places, means the director of the community development department, or the director's duly authorized representative.

Dwelling unit means one or more habitable rooms constituting a permanent, self-contained unit with a separate entrance and used or intended to be used continuously for living and sleeping purposes for not more than one family and containing one, but not more than one, kitchen or kitchenette.

Emergency machinery, vehicle or work means any machinery, vehicle or work used, employed or performed in an effort to protect, provide or restore safe conditions in the community or for the citizenry, or work by private or public utilities when restoring utility service.

Fixed noise source means a stationary device which creates sounds while fixed or motionless, including, but not limited to, industrial and commercial machinery and equipment, pumps, fans, compressors, generators, air conditioners and refrigeration equipment.

Grading means any excavating or filling of earth material or any combination thereof conducted at a site to prepare the site for construction or other improvements thereon.

Impact noise means the noise produced by the collision of one mass in motion with a second mass which may be either in motion or at rest.

Lot means that portion of any geographical location under the direct custody and control of the applicant.

Mixed-use means a development containing both residential and nonresidential land uses.

Mobile noise source means any noise source other than a fixed noise source.

Noise means loud and excessive sound which disturbs or tends to disturb the peace or good order, including that produced by persons, pets and livestock, industrial equipment, construction, motor vehicles, home appliances, electric motors, combustion engines, and any other sound-producing objects.

Noise level means the A-weighted sound pressure level in decibels obtained by using a sound level meter at slow response with a reference pressure of 20 micronewtons per square meter. The unit of measurement shall be designated as dB(A).

Person means a person, firm, association, copartnership, joint venture, corporation, or any entity, public or private in nature.

Residential property means a parcel of real property which is developed and used either in part or in whole for residential purposes, including mixed-use developments, other than transient uses such as hotels and motels.

Simple tone noise means a noise characterized by a predominant frequency so that other frequencies cannot be readily distinguished.

Sound level meter means an instrument meeting American National Standard Institute's Standard 51.41971 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, means 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound to a referenced pressure, which reference pressure shall be explicitly stated.

(Code 1957, § 14.2; Ord. No. 1546, § 6, 11-17-2003; Ord. No. 1593, §§ 1—9, 1-19-2010)

Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.