§ 48.02 Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

1. “Amplified sound” means sound that is increased in intensity and duration by electrical, electronic, mechanical, or other nonhuman means.

2. “A-weighted sound level” means the sound pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound level meter using the A-weighting network. The level is designated dB(A) or dBA.

3. “Decibel” (dB) means a logarithmic and dimensionless unit of measure used in describing the amplitude of sound, equal to 20 times the logarithm to the base-10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is 20 micropascals (20 micronewtons per square meter).

4. “Noise” means the intensity, duration, and character of sounds from any and all sources.

5. “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, governmental body, state, or other entity whatsoever.

6. “Plainly audible noise” means any noise for which the information content of the noise is transferred to the listener, such as (but not limited to) understanding of spoken speech, comprehension of whether a voice is raised or lowered, or comprehension of musical rhythms.

7. “Powered model vehicle” means any self-propelled airborne, waterborne or land-borne model plane, vessel or vehicle not designed to carry persons, including (but not limited to) any model airplane, boat, car or rocket.

8. “Public place” means any street, avenue, boulevard, highway, sidewalk or alley or similar place owned or controlled by the City, including any structure or park.

9. “Real property boundary” means an imaginary line along the ground surface and its vertical extension, which separates the real property owned by one person from that owned by another person, but not including intra-building real property divisions.

10. “Sound level” means the weighted sound pressure level obtained by the use of a sound level meter and frequency weighting network, such as A, B or C as specified in American National Standards Institute specifications for sound level meters (ANSI 51.4-1971, or the latest approved revision thereof). If the frequency weighting employed is not indicated, the A-weighting applies.

11. “Sound level meter” means an instrument which includes a microphone, amplifier, RMS detector, integrator or time-average, output or display meter and weighting networks used to measure and read sound pressure levels which, when properly calibrated, complies with American National Standards Institute.