§ 8.12.340. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

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

Agricultural property means a parcel of real property which is undeveloped for any use other than agricultural purposes.

Ambient noise histogram means the composite of all noise from sources near and far, excluding the alleged intrusive noise source. In this context, the ambient noise histogram shall constitute the normal or existing level of environmental noise at a given location.

Commercial property means a parcel of real property which is developed and used either in part or in whole for commercial purposes. In cases of multiple land uses of any property, the zoning classification of such property shall be applicable.

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 may be continuous or interrupted.

Decibel means a unit for measuring the amplitude of a sound, equal to 20 times the logarithm to the base of ten of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is 20 micropascals.

Dwelling unit means a single unit providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.

Emergency machinery, vehicle or alarm means any machinery, vehicle or alarm used, employed, performed or operated in an effort to protect, provide or restore safe conditions in the community or for the citizenry, or work by private or public utilities when restoring utility service.

Emergency work means any work performed for the purpose of preventing or alleviating the physical trauma or property damage threatened or caused by an emergency.

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.

Grading means any excavating or filling of earth material or any combination thereof conducted at a site to prepare the site for construction or other improvements thereon.

Health care institution means any hospital, convalescent home, or other similar facilities which provide health care, medical treatment, room, board or other services for the ill, retarded or convalescent.

Health officer means the director of the department of health services of the county, or his duly authorized representative.

Impulsive noise means a sound of short duration, usually less than one second and of high intensity, with an abrupt onset and rapid decay.

Industrial property means property which is developed and used either in part or in whole for manufacturing purposes. In cases of multiple land uses of any property, the zoning classification of such property shall be applicable.

Intrusive noise means that alleged offensive noise which intrudes over and above the existing ambient noise at the receptor property.

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

Noise disturbance means an alleged intrusive noise which violates an applicable noise standard as set forth in this division.

Noise histogram means a graphical representation of the distribution of frequency of occurrence of all noise levels near and far measured over a given period of time.

Noise level (L _N ) means that noise level expressed in decibels which exceeds the specified (L _N ) value as a percentage of total time measured. For instance, an L ₂₅ noise level means that noise level which is exceeded 25 percent of the time measured.

Noise-sensitive zone means any area designated pursuant to subdivision 3 of this division for the purpose of ensuring exceptional quiet.

Noise zone means any defined area or region of a generally consistent land use, as described in section 8.12.520.

Powered model vehicle means any self-propelled airborne, waterborne or landborne plane, vessel or vehicle which is not designed to carry individuals, 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.

Pure tone noise means any sound which can be judged as audible as a single pitch or a set of single pitches by the health officer. For the purposes of this division, a pure tone shall exist if the one-third octave band sound-pressure level in the band with the tone exceeds the arithmetic average of the sound-pressure levels of the two contiguous one-third octave bands by five dB for center frequencies of 500 Hertz and above, and by eight dB for center frequencies between 160 and 400 Hertz, and by 15 dB for center frequencies less than or equal to 125 Hertz.

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 property means a parcel of real property which is developed and used either in part or in whole for residential purposes, other than transient uses such as hotels and motels. In cases of multiple land uses of any property, the zoning classification of such property shall be applicable.

Sound level meter means an instrument, including a microphone, an amplifier, an output meter and frequency weighting network, for the measurement of sound levels, which satisfies the requirements pertinent for Type S2A meters in American National Standards Institute specifications for sound level meters, S1.4-1971, or the most recent revision thereof.

Vibration means the minimum ground or structure-borne vibrational motion necessary to cause a normal person to be aware of the vibration by such direct means as, but not limited to, sensation by touch or visual observations of moving objects. The perception threshold shall be presumed to be a motion velocity of 0.01 in/sec over the range of one to 100 Hertz.

Weekday means any day, Monday through Friday, which is not a legal holiday.

(Ord. No. 14(1989), § 2(12.08.050—12.08.270, 12.08.290—12.08.360), 6-27-89)

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1.00.070.