§ 14-31. Sound emission standards and limitations.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    Unless otherwise specifically indicated, it shall be unlawful during the daytime or nighttime hours for any person to cause or allow the emission of sound from any source or sources which when measured pursuant to section 14-30, exceed the maximum decibel limits specified in table 1 more than ten percent of any measuring period, which shall be the length of time to take 100 readings at consecutive ten-second intervals.

    Table 1. Maximum Noise Limitations dB(A)

    Zoning Districts/

    Conditional Use

    Zoning Districts
    Daytime
    (7:00 a.m. to
    10:00 p.m.)
    Nighttime
    (10:00 p.m. to
    7:00 a.m.)
    Residential 60 55
    Business, Downtown Business, Shopping Center, Highway Commercial 60 55
    Industrial 70 65

     

    (b)

    When a source can be identified and its noise measured in more than one zoning district or conditional use zoning district, the limits of the more restrictive district shall apply at the boundaries between different zoning districts or conditional use zoning districts.

    (c)

    For any source of sound, the maximum sound level shall not exceed the sound level in table 1 by 10 dB(A), except as enumerated in section 14-32 below.

    (d)

    Notwithstanding the location of hospitals, rest homes, family care homes, group care facilities, public or private or parochial school or day care facilities, it shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow the emission of sound onto the structures of such uses which exceeds the maximum noise limitations for residential zoning districts.

    (e)

    For activities which are necessary for railroad operations it shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow the emission of sound from the boundaries of railroad rights-of-way which exceeds the noise emission standard promulgated in the Code of Federal Regulations pursuant to Title 42 of U.S.C. § 4916, as from time to time amended, and for purposes of such statute the standards of this chapter are declared to be identical to the federal standards.

(Ord. of 5-4-93, § 1; Ord. No. 07-0515-06, § 1, 5-15-07)

Editor's note

See editor's note for § 14-29.