Chapter 48 – Noise Pollution

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. 48.03 APPLICATION. This chapter applies to the control of noise producing activities and objects originating within the limits of the City or originating from properties lying outside the limits of the City owned or controlled by the City with a lease or other similar arrangement, except where: 1. Another ordinance, such as the Zoning Ordinance, provides for the noise control regulations; 2. A State or Federal agency has adopted a different standard or rule than that prescribed within this chapter and has so preempted the regulation of noise from a particular source as to render this chapter inapplicable thereto; or 3. The Council has determined that, by reason of public acceptance of the activity producing a particular noise, such noise is deemed acceptable to the residents of the City. 48.04 MAXIMUM NOISE STANDARDS BY ZONING DISTRICTS. 1. Excluded from this chapter are the commercial and industrial zones, which are regulated by the Zoning Ordinance. 2. All Residential Zones: 60 3. PAD: 60 4. Public and Open Spaces: 70 48.05 PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES. Regardless of the zoning district that the noise originates from, the following acts (but not limited to those listed) are deemed to be loud, disturbing, unusual, unreasonable, and unnecessary noises, in violation of this chapter: 1. Nighttime and Morning Noise. No person may load, unload, open, close, or handle boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans, or similar objects outdoors between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the following morning, so as to create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary. 2. Construction Equipment. No person shall operate construction equipment before 7:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. unless the Council grants a written exception with an expiration date. 3. Powered Model Vehicles. No person may operate or permit the operation of powered model vehicles in a residential zone, as defined in the Zoning Code, or in a public place between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following morning. 4. Sound Trucks and Other Devices. No person may operate or permit the operation upon the public streets of a sound truck or other device for producing, reproducing, or amplifying sounds without a permit.