As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from
the context:
CONSTRUCTION
Any site preparation, assembly, erection, repair, alteration,
remodeling, or similar action, including demolition and removal of
buildings or structures.
CONTIGUOUS LAND USE
Any land use bordering or abutting, whether divided by real
property boundary or by real property boundary and public street.
CONTINUOUS SOUND
Any sound which is static, fluctuating or intermittent with
a recurrence greater than one time in any fifteen-second interval.
DECIBEL (dB)
A numerical expression of the relative loudness of sound.
DEMOLITION
Any dismantling, destruction, or removal of buildings, structures
or roadways.
EMERGENCY
Any occurrence or set of circumstances involving actual or
imminent physical trauma or property damage which demands immediate
action.
IMPULSIVE SOUND
Sound of short duration with an abrupt onset and rapid decay
and an occurrence of not more than one time in any fifteen-second
interval.
NOISE
Any sound which annoys or disturbs humans or which causes
or tends to cause an adverse psychological or physiological effect
on humans.
PLAINLY AUDIBLE SOUND
Any sound that can be detected by a person using his or her
unaided hearing facilities.
PURE TONE
Any sound which can be distinctly heard as a single pitch
or set of single pitches. For the purposes of this chapter, a pure
tone shall exist if the 1/3 octave band sound pressure level in the
band with the tone exceeds the arithmetic average of the sound pressure
levels of the two contiguous 1/3 octave bands by five dB for center
frequencies of 500Hz and above, or by eight dB for center frequencies
between 160 Hz and 400 Hz and by 15 dB for center frequencies less
than or equal to 125Hz.
SOUND
An oscillation in pressure, particle displacement, particle
velocity or other physical parameter in a medium with internal forces
that cause compression and rarefaction of that medium. The description
of sound may include any characteristic of such sound, including duration,
intensity and frequency.
SOUND DISSIPATIVE DEVICE
A noise-control device intended to abate or lessen the noise
made by vehicles, equipment or machinery.
SOUND LEVEL
The weighted sound pressure level obtained by the use of
a sound level meter and frequency weighting network, such as A, B,
or C as specified in American National Standards Institute specifications
for sound level matters (ANSI Si.4-1971, or the latest approved revision
thereof). If the frequency weighting employed is not indicated, the
A-weighting shall apply.
SOUND LEVEL METER
An instrument which includes a microphone, amplifier, RMS
detector, integrator or time average, output meter and weighting networks
used to measure sound pressure levels. The sound level meter used
for testing purposes in accordance with this chapter shall meet the
current American National Standard Institute specifications.
The Upper Uwchlan Township Police and the Upper Uwchlan Township Zoning Officer shall have the power to administer the terms of this chapter, investigate complaints and prosecute violations of this chapter in accordance with §
110-4 of this chapter. When enforcing the terms of this chapter, the Police and Zoning Officer may retain consultants and engineers with experience in measuring sound levels with the use of sound level meters.
Any person who violates or permits the violation of any provision
of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof in a summary proceeding
brought before a Magisterial District Judge under the Pennsylvania
Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense, and shall
be subject to the payment of a fine of not less than $100 and not
more than $1,000, plus the costs of prosecution. In default of payment
thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment in the county
prison for a term of not more than 30 days. Each section of this chapter
violated shall constitute a separate offense, and each day or portion
thereof in which a violation of this chapter is found to exist shall
constitute a separate offense, each of which violations shall be punishable
by a separate fine imposed by the Magisterial District Judge of not
less than $100 and not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution,
or upon default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced
to imprisonment in the county prison for a term of not more than 30
days. All fines and penalties collected for violation of this chapter
shall be paid to the Township Treasurer.