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

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

C. “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, minus the source which is the subject of enforcement.

D. “Amplified sound” means any sound created by the use of sound amplifying equipment.

E. “Commercial area” means those parcels within zoning districts specified as commercial (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-N, C-NS, C-SA, C-SO, C-T, and C-W) in the “Official Zoning Map” created by Ordinance No. 6478-N.S., or as subsequently amended.

F. “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.

G. “Cumulative period” means an additive period of time composed of individual time segments which may be continuous or interrupted.

H. “Decibel (dB)” means a unit of measurement which indicates the relative intensity of a sound. It is equal to twenty times the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is twenty micropascals.

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

J. “Emergency work or action” means work or action made necessary to restore property to a safe 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.

K. “EHD” means the Environmental Health Division or noise control office.

L. “Event” means a program, performance, or presentation intended to draw spectators, including but not limited to a street event or park event as defined by Section 13.44.020.G and Section 6.46.020.B and D, respectively.

M. “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.

N. “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.

O. “Industrial area” means those parcels within zoning districts specified as industrial (M, MM, MULI, and MUR) in the “Official Zoning Map” created by Ordinance No. 6478-N.S., or as subsequently amended.

P. “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.

Q. “Mobile noise source” means any noise source other than a fixed noise source.

R. “Motor vehicle” means and shall include 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.

S. “NCO” means a noise control officer or other authorized agent designated by the City Manager to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

T. “Noise disturbance” means any sound which is determined to violate Section 13.40.030, 13.40.050, 13.40.060, or 13.40.070.

U. “Noise zone” means any defined areas or regions of a generally consistent land use wherein the ambient noise levels are within a range of five dB. (Typically, all sites within any given noise zone will be of comparable proximity to major noise sources.)

V. “Person” means any individual, association, partnership, institution or corporation, and includes any agent, officer, employee, department, agency or instrumentality of a state or any political subdivision of a state.

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

X. “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.

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

Z. “Pure tone” means any sound which can be judged as audible as a single pitch or a set of single pitches by a NCO.

AA. “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 inter-building real property divisions such as walls and fences.

BB. “Residential area” means those parcels within zoning districts specified as residential (R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-4, R-5, and ES-R) in the “Official Zoning Map” created by Ordinance No. 6478-N.S., or as subsequently amended.

CC. “Sound amplifying equipment” means any electronic device for the amplification of the human voice, music, or any other sound, excluding standard automobile radios when used and heard only by the occupants of the vehicle in which the radio is installed, and, as used in this chapter, warning devices on authorized emergency vehicles or horns or other warning devices on any vehicle used only for traffic safety purposes.

DD. “Sound level” means the level of sound as measured in decibels.

EE. “Sound level meter” means a sound measuring instrument meeting American National Standard Institute’s Standard S1.41971 or most recent revision thereof for Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meters or an instrument and the associated recording and analyzing equipment which provide equivalent data. (Ord. 7122-NS § 2, 2009: Ord. 5500-NS § 1 (part), 1982)