8.12.020 Definitions.

All terminology used in this chapter, not defined in this section, shall be in conformance with applicable publications of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or its successor body.

"Agricultural property" means any area in which agricultural uses are permitted by the terms of Title 19 Zoning, of this code.

"Ambient noise level" means the composite of noise from all sources near and far. In this context, the ambient noise level constitutes the normal or existing level of environmental noise at a given location.

"Amplified sound" means any sound created by the use of sound-amplifying equipment.

"A-weighted sound level" means the sound level in decibels, as measured on a sound level meter using the A-weighted network. The level so read is designated "dB(A)" or "dBA."

"Commercial area" means any area defined as commercial in Title 19 Zoning, of this code.

"Construction" means any site preparation, assembly, erection, substantial repair, alteration or similar action for or of public or private rights-of-way, structures, utilities or similar property.

"Cumulative period" means an additive period of time composed of individual time segments which are either continuous or interrupted.

"Decibel (dB)" means a unit of measurement indicating the relative intensity of a sound, equal to twenty times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound, measured to the reference pressure, which is twenty microPascals.

"Demolition" means any dismantling, intentional destruction or removal of structures, utilities, public or private right-of-way surfaces, or similar property.

"Emergency work or action" means any work or action necessary to restore property to a safe and usable condition after a public calamity, or work required to protect persons or property from imminent exposure to danger or damage, or work by public or private utilities to restore utility service.

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

"Impulsive sound" means sound of short duration, usually less than one second, with an abrupt onset and rapid decay. Examples of sources of impulsive sound include explosions, drop-forge impacts, and the discharge of firearms.

"Industrial area" means any area defined as industrial or manufacturing in Title 19 Zoning, of this code.

"Intrusive noise" means that noise which intrudes over and above the existing ambient noise at a given location. The relative intrusiveness of a sound depends upon its amplitude, duration, frequency and time of occurrence, and tonal or informational content, as well as the prevailing ambient noise level.

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

"Motor vehicle" means and includes any and all self-propelled vehicles as defined in the California Motor Vehicle Code, including all on-highway type motor vehicles subject to registration under said Code, and all off-highway type motor vehicles subject to identification under said Code.

"Noise control officer" means the community development director or the designated representative of the director except that for the purposes of granting variances pursuant to Section 8.12.100 of this chapter which are heard in conjunction with an application for land division, use permit or other entitlement for use, the noise control office shall be the person or body authorized by this code to issue such land division, use permit, or other entitlement for use.

"Noise disturbance" means any sound which endangers or injures the safety or health of humans or animals; disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood; annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensibilities; or endangers or damages personal or real property.

"Noise zone" means any defined area or region of a generally consistent land use wherein the ambient noise levels are within a range of five dB.

"Person" means any individual, association, partnership or corporation, including any governmental officer, employee, department, agency or instrumentality of a state or any political subdivision of a state.

"Powered model vehicle" means any self-propelled, airborne, waterborne or landborne plane, vessel or vehicle which is not designed to carry persons, including, but not limited to, any model airplane, boat, car or rocket.

"Public right-of-way" means any street, avenue, boulevard, highway, sidewalk or alley or similar place which is owned or controlled by a governmental entity.

"Public space" means any real property or structures thereon which are owned or controlled by a governmental entity.

"Pure tone" means any sound which can be judged as audible as a single pitch or a set of single pitches by the noise control officer.

"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.

"Residential area" means any area defined as residential in Title 19 Zoning, of this code.

"Sound-amplifying equipment" means any device for the amplification of the human voice, music, or any other sound, excluding:

(1) Standard automobile radios when used and heard only by the occupants of the vehicle in which the radio is installed; and

(2) Warning devices on authorized emergency vehicles or horns or other warning devices on any vehicle used only for traffic-safety purposes.

"Sound level meter" means a sound measuring instrument which meets the American National Standards Institute's Standard S1.4-1971, or the most recent revision thereof, for Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meters; or, an instrument and the associated recording and analyzing equipment which will provide equivalent data.