The intent of this article is to prevent unreasonably loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noise, and to reduce noise levels from existing, proposed, or approved uses within the Town in an effort to preserve the public health, safety, and welfare of the community while fostering a high quality of life for Town residents.
The maximum permissible sound pressure levels of any continuous source of sound from any one use shall be as herein established for the district listed in Table 46-1 of this article.[1] This includes, but is not limited to, sound from such activities as productions, processing, cleaning, servicing, testing, operating, or repairing either vehicles, materials, good, products or devices. Sound pressure levels in excess of those established for the districts of the Town shall constitute prima facie evidence that such sound is an unnecessary noise. This article shall not apply to residential uses in residential districts.
Where any use is adjacent to a residential or mixed-use district at any point at the district boundary, the most restrictive district use noise level limit shall apply. Sound pressure levels shall be measured at the approximate location of the property line or at the boundary of the public right-of-way, at a height of at least four feet above the immediate surrounding surface. Such measurements should be made on a sound level meter of standard design and operated on the "A" weighting network designed for the level limits listed in Table 46-1. All sound monitoring equipment shall comply with the most recent ANSI standards available.
Table 46-1: Sound Levels | ||
|---|---|---|
District | 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Level Limit db(A) | 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. Level Limit db(A) |
Residential | 60 | 55 |
Commercial | 65 | 60 |
Industrial | 75 | 75 |
The following sounds shall not be deemed to be a violation of this chapter:
A.
Sounds created by church bells or chimes.
B.
Sounds created by any government agency by the use of public warning devices.
C.
Sounds created by public utilities in carrying out the operation of their franchises.
D.
Sounds connected with events of any public or private school, or a Town-authorized event, concert, carnival, fair, exhibition, or parade.
E.
Sounds connected with agricultural activities.
F.
Sounds created by the proper use of power equipment rated 15 horsepower or less when used within the least restrictive time period of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
G.
Sounds created by the discharge of firearms for the purposes of target practice and/or hunting during the hours permitted by state and local law.