1500-21.5-020 - Definitions — Sutter County Zoning Code

The words, phrases and terms as used in this Article shall have the following meanings:

A.

Ambient Noise Level. All-encompassing noise level associated with a given environment, being a composite of 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.

B.

Decibel (dB). A unit used to express the relative intensity of sound as it is heard by the human ear. The lowest volume a normal ear can detect under laboratory conditions is zero dB, the threshold of human hearing. Since the decibel is logarithmic, ten decibels are ten times more intense and 20 decibels are a 100 times more intense than 1 dB.

C.

Equivalent Sound Level (Leq). The average of sound energy occurring over a specified period. The L eq is equivalent to the same average acoustical energy as the time-varying sound that actually occurs during a specified period.

D.

Impulsive Noise. A noise characterized by sound pressures whose peak levels are very much greater than the ambient noise level resulting in instantaneous sharp sounds, such as might be produced by the impact of a pile driver, hammering, back-up alarm, or gunfire, typically with 1 second or less duration.

E.

Noise Level. A-weighted sound pressure level in decibels obtained by using a sound level meter at slow response (1,000 milliseconds up and down) with a reference pressure of 20 micropascals. A fast meter response (125 milliseconds up and down) shall be used for impulsive noise. The unit of measurement shall be designated as "dBA."

F.

Noise Sensitive Uses. Land uses considered more sensitive to noise than others due to the amount of noise exposure and types of activities typically involved at the land use location such as residences, schools, motels and hotels, libraries, religious institutions, hospitals and nursing homes.

G.

Simple Tone Noise or Pure Tone Noise. A noise characterized by the presence of a predominant frequency or frequencies such as might be produced by whistle, squeal, screech, or hum.

H.

Sound Level Meter. An instrument meeting American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Standard S1.41971 for Type 2 sound level meters that is calibrated utilizing an acoustical calibrator meeting ANSI Type 2 standard, performed immediately prior to recording any sound data. Calibration equipment shall be certified annually.

I.

Sound Pressure Level. A sound pressure level of a sound, in decibels, as defined in ANSI Standards 51.21962 and 51.13-1920. It is computed as ten times the logarithm of the source sound pressure divided by a reference sound pressure.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

1500-21.5-030 - General Noise Regulations

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Article, it is unlawful for any person to willfully make or continue or cause to be made or continued any excessive, unnecessary or offensive noise levels, which disturbs the peace and quiet of any noise sensitive use, or which causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity.

The standards which shall be considered in determining whether a violation of the provisions of this section exists shall include, but not be limited to the following:

A.

The sound level of the objectionable noise;

B.

The proximity of the noise to residential or other noise sensitive uses;

C.

The time of day or night the noise occurs;

D.

The duration of the noise and its tonal informational or musical content;

E.

Whether the noise is continuous, recurrent or intermittent; and

F.

The level and intensity of ambient background noise, if any.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

1500-21.5-040 - Noise Level Measurement

A.

Noise Level Measurement. Any noise level measurements made pursuant to the provisions of this Article shall be performed using a sound level meter as defined in Section 1500-21.5-020.

B.

Designated Exterior Noise Measurement Location. The location selected for measuring exterior noise levels shall be within one foot or as close as is practicable inside the property line of the receiving property closest to the noise source or where the noise level is greatest. Where feasible, the microphone shall be at a height of five feet above ground level and shall be at least four feet from walls or similar reflecting surfaces.