§ 18-199. Definitions.

The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation, enforcement and intent of this article.

A-weighted sound pressure level shall mean the sound pressure level, in decibels, as measured on a sound level meter using the A-weighted network. The level so read shall be designated as dB(A-wt).

Amplified sound means any noise or sound that is artificially enhanced or increased in volume by means of amplifier, speaker, tape or disc player, radio, or any other mechanical or electronic device.

Background or ambient noise level shall mean the sound pressure level of the all-encompassing noise emanating from a given environment, usually being a composite of sound from many sources.

C-weighted sound pressure level shall mean the sound pressure level, in decibels, as measured on a sound level meter using the C-weighted network. The level so read shall be designated as dB(C-wt).

Continuous amplified sound means any amplified sound which does not vary in sound level by more than five dB(A-wt) or five dB(C-wt) during at least a 15 minute measurement period.

Decibel or dB shall mean a unit for describing the amplitude of sound, equal to 20 times the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is 20 micronewtons per square meter.

Equivalent sound pressure level (Leq) shall mean a sound level descriptor based on the average acoustic intensity over time. Leq is intended as a single number indicator to describe the mean energy or intensity level over a 15 minute period time during which the sound level fluctuated. Leq is measured in dB and must either be A-weighted, C-weighted, or both.

Intermittent amplified sound shall mean an amplified sound lasting more than one second and less than 15 minutes.

Noise control officer ("NCO") means the county sheriff, code enforcement officer, and any other law enforcement officer designated as such by the sheriff or the board of county commissioners.

Noise or noise disturbance shall mean any amplified sound produced in such quantity and for such duration that it annoys, disturbs or injures a reasonable individual of normal sensitivities, and exceeds the sound level limits set forth in table 1.

Property line shall mean an imaginary line along the surface of land or water, and its vertical plane extension, which separates the real property owned, rented or leased by a person from real property owned, rented or leased by another person.

Noise sensitive use means hospitals, nursing homes, schools, courts of law or other areas designated by resolution of the board of county commissioners.

Person means any individual, association, partnership, corporation or other entity and includes any officer, employee, department, agency or instrumentality of the United States, the state or any political subdivision thereof.

Sound level meter shall mean an instrument which includes a microphone, amplifier, RMS detector, integrator or time average, output meter, and weighting network used to measure sound pressure levels. The sound level meter shall be of type 2 or better.

Sound pressure level shall mean 20 times the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the root mean square sound pressure to the reference pressure of 20 micronewtons per meter squared. The sound pressure level is denoted Lp (or SPL) and is expressed in decibels.

( Ord. No. 2016-7, § 1, 3-8-2016 )