[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Worcester 12-15-2010 by Ord. No. 225. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The sound pressure at a given location, normally specified
as a reference level to evaluate an intrusive sound source. The ambient
noise level is sometimes called the background noise level or reference
sound level.
The American National Standards Institute or its successor
body.
Any site preparation or site work; assembly, erection, repair,
alteration or similar action, including demolition, of buildings or
structures.
The abbreviation for the sound level in decibels determined
by the A-weighting network of a sound level meter or by calculation
from octave band of 1/3 octave band data.
A unit of measure, on a logarithmic scale, of the ratio of
a particular sound pressure squared to a standard reference pressure
squared. For the purpose of this chapter, 20 micropascals shall be
the standard reference pressure.
Any dismantling, destruction or removal of buildings, structures,
or roadways.
Any occurrence of a set of circumstances involving actual
or imminent physical trauma or property damage which demands immediate
action.
Either a single pressure peak or a single burst (multiple
pressure peaks) that has a duration of less than one second.
The intensity, frequency, duration and character of sound,
including sound and vibration of subaudible frequencies.
An employee or contractor of the Township possessing training
in noise enforcement activities and who has been appointed by the
Board of Supervisors to enforce this chapter.
The presence of noise audible outdoors of sufficient loudness
and character, from a single off-site source or from multiple off-site
sources, which is or may be predicted with reasonable certainty to
be injurious to health, safety and comfort or which unreasonably interferes
with the peaceful enjoyment of property or with any lawful business
or activity. Noise/sound pressure levels exceeding those permitted
in this chapter constitute noise pollution.
An individual or an entity, as applicable.
Any sound that can be detected by a person using his or her
unaided hearing faculties. As an example, if the sound source under
investigation is a portable or personal vehicular sound amplification
or reproduction device, the detection of the rhythmic bass component
of the music is sufficient to verify plainly audible sound. The noise
control officer need not determine the title, specific words, or the
artist performing the song.
Any street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, sidewalk, alley
or easement that is owned, leased, or controlled by a governmental
entity.
Any real property or structures thereon that are owned, leased,
or controlled by a governmental entity.
The imaginary line including its vertical extension that
separates one parcel of real property from another.
In decibels, the weighted sound pressure level measured by
the use of a sound level meter satisfying the requirements of ANSI
SI.4, Specifications for Sound Level Meters. "Sound level" and "noise
level" are synonymous.
An instrument meeting ANSI SI.4, Specifications for Sound
Level Meters, comprising a microphone, an amplifier, an output meter
and frequency weighting network or networks that is used for the measurement
of sound-pressure levels in a specified manner.
Minute fluctuations in atmospheric pressure which accompany
the passage of a sound wave.
In decibels, 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the
ratio of a sound pressure to the reference sound pressure of 20 micropascals
(20 micronewtons per square meter). In the absence of any modifier,
the level is to be that of a root-mean-square pressure.
Worcester Township, Montgomery County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Any device or combination of devices used for or capable
of being used for transporting persons or property, whether or not
licensed for use on public roads. "Vehicle" or "vehicles" include
but are not limited to the following: automobiles, trucks, buses,
motorcycles, motorized bicycles, mopeds, mini-bikes, snowmobiles,
scooters, all-terrain vehicles, go-carts, racers and like devices,
farm machinery, industrial machinery, highway graders, trailers, graders
and semitrailers.
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.
9:01 p.m. local time of one day through 6:59 a.m. local time
of the next day.
9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time, Saturday and Sunday.
9:01 p.m. local time Friday through 8:59 a.m. local time
Saturday, and 9:01 p.m. local time Saturday through 6:59 a.m. local
time Monday.
In all districts, the following general noise regulations shall
apply:
A.Â
Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that public health,
safety and welfare shall not be abridged by the making and creating
of noise pollution or of public nuisances as a result of disturbing,
excessive or offensive noise in the Township. The residents of the
Township recognize that uncontrolled noise represents a danger to
the health and welfare of their neighbors and that each person in
the community is entitled to live in an environment in which the level
of impulsive and amplified noise is minimized for the community good.
It is the purpose and scope of this chapter to provide regulations
defining the maximum sound levels that all vehicles, appliances, persons
and equipment shall be allowed to produce at specified distances from
such devices and also to provide for the prohibition of other kinds
of offensive noises. These regulations and prohibitions are intended
to protect the physical, mental and social well-being of the residents
of the Township.
B.Â
Noise Control Officers.
(1)Â
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by a Noise Control
Officer(s) or other duly-authorized law enforcement officer.
(2)Â
Noise Control Officers shall possess training in noise enforcement
activities and shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors to enforce
this chapter.
(3)Â
In the absence of specifically appointed Noise Control Officers,
the appointed Zoning Officer and any Assistant Zoning Officer(s) shall,
by virtue of their appointment and training, serve as Noise Control
Officers.
(4)Â
The duties of Noise Control Officers shall be as follows:
(a)Â
Coordinate the noise control activities of Worcester Township
and cooperate with all other public bodies, agencies and municipalities
to the extent practicable;
(b)Â
Review public and private projects for compliance with this
chapter, when requested by the Board of Supervisors;
(c)Â
Investigate reasonable complaints and pursue possible violations
of this chapter for sound levels that exceed the maximum permissible
sound levels set forth below.
C.Â
Ambient noise correction.
(1)Â
Prior to and after taking noise measurements of the source in question,
the Noise Control Officer shall measure the ambient noise level, in
accordance with industry standards, to provide a reference point for
analyzing noise in connection his/her duties above.
(2)Â
The Noise Control Officer shall use the ambient noise level, in accordance
with industry standards, to develop a correction for ambient noise
which shall be used to adjust the measure of noise when measuring
the source in question.
D.Â
Maximum permissible sound levels for ongoing or constant noise.
(1)Â
No person shall create or allow the creation of ongoing or constant
noise at sound levels audible outdoors in excess of 65 dB(A) above
the ambient noise level during weekday or weekend daytime hours and
55 db(A) above the ambient noise level during weekday or weekend nighttime
hours when measured at or outside any real property line.
E.Â
Maximum permissible sound levels for impulsive sound.
(1)Â
No person shall create or allow the creation of impulsive sound levels
audible outdoors in excess of 80 dB(A) above the ambient noise level
during weekday or weekend daytime hours and 55 db(A) above the ambient
noise level during weekday or weekend nighttime hours when measured
at or outside any real property line.
F.Â
Specific activities prohibited.
(1)Â
No person shall operate or permit the operation of powered vehicles
in such a manner as to exceed the permissible sound levels established
herein across a real property line or within a public space in the
Township.
(2)Â
Offering for sale any item or selling anything by shouting or outcry
in the Township is hereby prohibited.
(3)Â
Construction noise and noise resulting from the operation of tools
and/or equipment used in activities including, but not limited to,
drilling, grading, renovations, lawn/yard and/or pool maintenance,
tree maintenance, trimming and/or removal, digging, and demolition
during weekday and weekend night-time hours is hereby prohibited.
G.Â
Exceptions. The following shall constitute exceptions to the noise
standards set forth in this chapter:
(1)Â
The emission of sound for the purpose of alerting persons to the
existence of an emergency.
(2)Â
Emergency work to provide electricity, water or other public utilities,
and to prevent flooding, fire, or other damage when public health
or safety is involved.
(3)Â
Operations by Township, County, or Commonwealth employees or agents,
when acting in an official capacity.
(4)Â
Public celebrations authorized by the Township.
(5)Â
Vehicles licensed for operation on public roads, when operated on
public roads in a lawful manner.
(6)Â
Noncommercial public speaking and public assembly activities on any
public space or public right-of-way.
(7)Â
Bells, chimes, and carillons used for religious purposes or in conjunction
with national celebrations, national observances or public holidays.
(8)Â
Bells, chimes, and carillons operated by any nonprofit organization
as of the date of this chapter.
(9)Â
Lawn care equipment operated during weekday and weekend daytime hours,
only if used and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications.
(10)Â
Agricultural farm machinery used in districts zoned for agricultural
use in connection with farming operations.
(11)Â
The emission of sound in situations within the jurisdiction
of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act.
(12)Â
Construction noise, and noise resulting from the operation of
tools and/or equipment used in activities including, but not limited
to, drilling, grading, renovations, lawn/yard and/or pool maintenance,
tree maintenance, trimming and/or removal, digging, and demolition
during daytime hours only.
A.Â
Violation of any provision of this chapter shall be cause for a citation
to be issued by a Township Noise Control Officer or another duly-authorized
law enforcement officer.
B.Â
Abatement orders.
(1)Â
In lieu of issuing a citation as provided in Subsection A, the Noise Control Officer or other duly-authorized law enforcement officer may issue an order requiring abatement of any sound source alleged to be in violation of this chapter within a reasonable time period and according to guidelines which the officer may prescribe.
(2)Â
An abatement order shall not be issued in lieu of a citation if any
person willfully or knowingly violates any provision of this chapter,
or if the Noise Control Officer or law enforcement officer has reason
to believe that there will not be compliance with the abatement order.
C.Â
Penalties.
D.Â
No provision of this chapter shall be construed to impair any common
law or statutory cause of action, or legal remedy therefrom, of any
person for injury or damage arising from any violation of this chapter
or from other law.
