[Adopted 12-9-2020 by Ord. No. 20-17]
A.
Short title. This section may be cited as the "Noise Control Ordinance."
B.
"A" LEVEL
"C" LEVEL
AMBIENT NOISE
ANIMAL NOISE
ANIMAL OWNER
APPARATUS
AUTHORIZED CITY OFFICIAL
BUSINESS DISTRICT
CONSTRUCTION
DAYTIME HOURS
DECIBEL
DECIBEL STANDARD
DEMOLITION
DEPARTMENT
DWELLING
EMERGENCY
EMERGENCY SIGNAL DEVICE
EMERGENCY WORK
FAST RESPONSE SPEED
FIREWORKS
IMPULSIVE NOISE or IMPULSIVE SOUND
LAeq
MOTOR VEHICLE
MUFFLER
MULTI-DWELLING-UNIT BUILDING
MULTIPURPOSE PROPERTY
(1)
(2)
NIGHTTIME HOURS
NOISE
NOISE-SENSITIVE AREA
OWNER
PERSON
PLAINLY AUDIBLE
PROPERTY LINE
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
PUBLIC SPACE
REAL PROPERTY LINE
(1)
(2)
(3)
REASONABLE PERSONS STANDARD
RECEIVING PROPERTY
SOUND LEVEL
SOUND SOURCE or SOUND SOURCE PROPERTY
SOUND-LEVEL METER
WEEKDAY
WEEKEND
Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in
this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection,
except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
The total sound level of all noise as measured with a sound-level
meter using the "A" weighting network. The unit of measurement is
the dB(A).
The total sound level of all noise as measured with a sound-level
meter using the "C" weighting network. The unit of measurement is
the dB(C).
The all-encompassing noise associated with a given environment,
being usually a composite of sounds from many sources near and far.
Includes, but is not limited to, barking dogs and fowl making
noise continuously or incessantly for 10 minutes or intermittently
for half an hour or more to the disturbance of any person at any time,
day or night, and regardless of whether the animal is physically situated
in or upon private property.
The person or persons caring for or responsible for an animal,
including one who voluntarily assumes such responsibility.
Any mechanism which prevents, controls, detects, measures,
or records the production of sound.
Any employee of the City of Las Vegas who is authorized by
the City Manager to perform noise enforcement activities, who is acting
within his/her designated jurisdiction, and who is authorized to issue
a citation.
Any area within the City of Las Vegas where the predominant
zoning is commercial.
Any site preparation, assembly, erection, repair, alteration
or similar action, including demolition of buildings or structures.
The hours between 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A unit of measurement for sound pressure level at a specified
location.
Noise that is objectively measured by an appropriate device
at a specific receiving location.
Any dismantling, destruction or removal of buildings, structures,
or roadways.
The Police Department of the City of Las Vegas.
Any building occupied in whole or in part as the temporary
or permanent residence of one or more natural persons.
Any occurrence or set of circumstances involving actual or
imminent physical trauma or property damage demanding immediate attention.
Any gong, whistle, siren, or any air horn, or any similar
device, the use of which by an authorized emergency vehicle is permitted.
Any work or action necessary to deliver essential public
services, including, but not limited to, repairing water, gas, electricity,
telephone, sewer facilities, or public transportation facilities,
removing fallen trees on public rights-of-way, dredging navigational
waterways, or abating life-threatening conditions.
Corresponds to a time constant of 0.125 s and is intended
to approximate the time constant of the human hearing system.
Explosives or combustibles used for display to produce noises
or brilliant lighting effects.
A sound having a duration of less than one second with an
abrupt onset and rapid decay.
The constant level that, over a given period, transmits to
the receiver the same amount of acoustic energy as the actual time-elapsed
sound. (This unit can also be written at dBA Leq).
Any self-propelled (propelled other than by human or animal
power) vehicle not operated exclusively upon railroad tracks and any
vehicle propelled or drawn by a self-propelled vehicle, and includes
vehicles known as "trackless trolleys" which are propelled by electric
power obtained from overhead trolley wires but not operated upon rails.
A properly functioning sound-dissipative device or system
for abating the sound of escaping gasses and noises on equipment where
such a device is part of the normal configuration of the equipment.
Any building comprising two or more dwelling units, including,
but not limited to, apartments, condominiums, co-ops, multiple-family
houses, townhouses, and attached residences.
Any district parcel of land that is used for more than one
category of activity. Examples include, but are not limited to:
A commercial, residential, industrial, or public service property
having boilers, incinerators, elevators, automatic garage doors, air
conditioners, laundry rooms, utility rooms, utility provisions, or
health and recreational facilities, or other facilities, or other
similar devices or areas, either in the interior or on the exterior
of the building, which may be a source of elevated sound levels at
another category on the same distinct parcel of land; or
A building which is both commercial (usually on the ground floor)
and residential property located above, behind, below or adjacent.
The hours between 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Any sound which is excessive, offensive or otherwise disturbing
to persons of normal sensitivities, including vibration.
Shall mean, but is not limited to, a posted area where a
school, hospital, nursing home, church, court, public library, or
similar institution is located.
Includes the owner of the freehold of the premises or lesser
estate therein, or mortgages thereof, a lessee or agent of any of
the above persons, a lessee of a device or his/her agent, a tenant,
operator, or any person who has regular control of a device or an
apparatus.
Any individual, partnership, company, corporation, association,
firm, organization, governmental organization, administration or department,
or any other group of individuals, or any officer or employer thereof.
Any sound that can be detected by a person using his or her
unaided hearing facilities. 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 base component
of the music is sufficient to verify plainly audible sound. The noise
control officer or police officer need not determine the title, specific
words, or the artist performing the song.
The boundary of a lot, parcel, tract or plot of land as shown
by the land records on file with the San Miguel County Clerk's office,
where appropriate; it is also either the boundary line of an area
leased or rented when such an area is not shown on a separate parcel
plot, tract or plot of land on the local government's land records,
or the line demarking separate ownership in any condominiums.
Any street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, sidewalk, alley
or easement that is owned or leased or controlled by a governmental
entity.
Any real property or structure thereon that is owned, leased
or controlled by a governmental entity.
Either:
The imaginary line, including the vertical extension, that separates
one parcel of real property from another;
The vertical and horizontal boundaries of a dwelling unit that
is part of a multi-dwelling-unit building; or
A multi-use property, the interface between two portions of
the property on which different categories of activity are being performed
(e.g., if the multi-use property is a building which is residential
upstairs and commercial downstairs, then the real property line would
be the interface between the residential and the commercial area).
The conduct of a reasonable person acting prudently and with
due care under the circumstances.
That property at which sound levels are measured.
The sound emanating from any source or combination of sources
as measured with a sound-level meter meeting or exceeding the specifications
of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for Type II sound-level
meters.
An instrument, machine, apparatus, person, or property which
is producing sound or from which sound is emanating.
An instrument meeting specifications of ANSI for a Type I
or Type II sound-level meter which uses the A-weighting network.
Any day that is not a federal holiday, and beginning on Monday
at 7:00 a.m. and ending on the following Friday at 8:00 p.m.
Any time beginning on Friday at 8:00 p.m. and ending on the
following Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
C.
Noises prohibited, generally. The following acts are declared to
be per se violations of this section. This enumeration does not constitute
an exclusive list:
(1)
Unreasonable noises: the unreasonable making of, or knowingly and
unreasonably permitting to be made, any unreasonably loud, boisterous
or unusual noise, disturbance, commotion or vibration in any boarding
facility, dwelling, place of business or other structure, or upon
any public street, park, or other place or building. The ordinary
and usual sounds, noises, commotion or vibration incidental to the
operation of places of business located in a commercially zoned area
when conducted in accordance with the usual standards of practice
and in a manner which will not unreasonably disturb the peace and
comfort of adjacent residences, or which will not detrimentally affect
the operators of adjacent places of business, are exempted from this
provision.
(2)
Vehicle horns, signaling devices, and similar devices: the sounding
of any horn, signaling device, or other similar device, on any automobile,
motorcycle, or other vehicle on any right-of-way or in any public
space within the City of Las Vegas, for more than 10 consecutive seconds.
The sounding of any horn, signaling device or other similar device
as a danger warning is exempt from this prohibition.
(3)
Nonemergency signaling devices: sounding or permitting sounding any
amplified signal from any bell, chime, siren, whistle or similar device,
intended primarily for nonemergency purposes, from any place for more
than 10 consecutive seconds in any hourly period. The reasonable sounding
of such devices by houses of religious worship, ice cream trucks,
seasonal contribution solicitors or by the City of Las Vegas for traffic
control purposes is exempt from the operation of this provision.
(4)
Emergency signaling devices: the intentional sounding or permitting the sounding outdoors of any emergency signaling device, including fire, burglar, civil defense alarm, siren, whistle, or similar emergency signaling device, except in an emergency or except as provided in Subsection C(4)(a) and (b) below.
(a)
Testing of an emergency signaling device shall occur between
7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Any testing shall use only the minimum cycle
test time. In no case shall such test time exceed five minutes. Testing
of the emergency signaling system shall not occur more than once in
each calendar month. This paragraph shall not apply to the testing
of signaling devices of emergency vehicles operated by law enforcement,
fire, and emergency medical services (EMS).
(b)
Sounding or permitting the sounding of any exterior burglar
or fire alarm or any motor vehicle burglar alarm shall terminate within
15 minutes of activation unless an emergency exists.
(5)
Radios, televisions, boomboxes, phonographs, stereos, musical instruments
and similar devices: the use or operation of a radio, television,
boombox, stereo, musical instrument, or similar device that produces
or reproduces sound in a manner that is plainly audible to any person
other than the player(s) or operator(s) of the device, and those who
are voluntarily listening to the sound, and which unreasonably disturbs
the peace, quiet, and comfort of neighbors and passers-by, or is plainly
audible at a distance of 50 feet from any person in a commercial,
industrial area, or public space; the use or operation of a radio,
television, boombox, stereo, musical instrument, or similar device
that produces or reproduces sound in a manner that is plainly audible
to any person other than the player(s) or operator(s) of the device,
and those who are voluntarily listening to the sound, and unreasonably
disturbs the peace, quiet, and comfort of neighbors in residential
or noise sensitive areas, including multifamily or single-family dwellings.
(6)
Loudspeakers, amplifiers, public address systems, and similar devices:
(a)
The unreasonably loud and raucous use or operation of a loudspeaker,
amplifier, public address system, or other device for producing or
reproducing sound between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on
weekdays, and 10:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. on weekends and holidays in
the following areas:
[1]
Within or adjacent to residential or noise-sensitive areas;
[2]
Within public space if the sound is plainly audible across the
real property line of the public space from which the sound emanates
and is unreasonably loud and raucous. This shall not apply to any
public performance, gathering, or parade for which a permit has been
obtained from the City of Las Vegas.
(b)
The making, causing or permitting of any music originating from
or in connection with the operation of any commercial establishment
or enterprise when the level of sound of such music, as measured inside
any receiving property unit, is in excess of either:
(7)
Yelling, shouting, and similar activities: yelling, shouting, hooting,
whistling, or singing in residential or noise-sensitive areas or in
public places at any time or place so as to unreasonably disturb the
quiet, comfort, or repose of reasonable persons of ordinary sensitivities.
(8)
Animals and birds: unreasonably loud and raucous noise emitted by
an animal or bird for which a person is responsible. A person is responsible
for an animal if the person owns, controls or otherwise cares for
the animal or bird. Sounds made by animals or birds in animal shelters,
commercial kennels, veterinary hospitals, pet shops or pet kennels
(licensed under and in compliance with licensing and permitting provisions
set forth in this Code) are exempt from this subsection.
(9)
Loading or unloading merchandise, materials, equipment: the creation
of unreasonably loud, raucous, and excessive noise in connection with
the loading or unloading of any vehicle at a place of business or
residence.
(10)
Construction or repair of buildings, excavation of streets and
highways: the construction, demolition, alteration or repair of any
building or the excavation of streets and highways other than between
the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays. In cases of emergency,
construction or repair noises are exempt from this provision. In nonemergency
situations, a Building Inspector/City Manager may issue a permit,
upon application, if the Building Inspector or City Manager determines
that the public health and safety, as affected by loud and raucous
noise caused by construction or repair of buildings or excavation
of streets and highways between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.,
will not be impaired, and if the Building Inspector/City Manager further
determines that loss or inconvenience would result to a party in interest.
The permit shall grant permission in nonemergency cases for a period
to be determined by the City Manager.
(11)
Noise-sensitive areas — schools, courts, churches, hospitals,
and similar institutions: the creation of any unreasonably loud and
raucous noise adjacent to any noise-sensitive area while it is in
use, which unreasonably interferes with the workings of the institution
or which disturbs the persons in these institutions, provided that
conspicuous signs delineating the boundaries of the noise-sensitive
area are displayed in the streets surrounding the noise-sensitive
area.
(12)
Blowers and similar devices: in residential or noise-sensitive
areas, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., the operation
of any noise-creating blower, power fan, or any internal combustion
engine, the operation of which causes noise due to the explosion of
operating gases or fluids, provided that the noise is unreasonably
loud and raucous and can be heard across the property line of the
property from which it emanates.
(13)
Sound(s) that exceed the maximum permissible decibel levels:
sound(s) that exceed the maximum permissible decibel levels as described
in Tables 1 and 2 herein when measured at or within the real property
line of any of the receiving properties listed in Tables 1 and 2,
except as otherwise exempted by provisions of this section.
(a)
When measuring "total sound" or "residual sound" within a multi-use
property, or within a residential unit when the property line between
it and the source property is a common wall, all exterior doors and
windows must be closed and the measurements must be taken in the center
of the room most affected by the noise. When measuring total sound
or residual sound, all sound sources within the dwelling unit must
be shut off (e.g., television, stereo). Measurements must not be taken
in areas which receive only casual use, such as hallways, closets,
and bathrooms.
(b)
Indoor measurements may only be taken if the sound source is
on or within the same property as the receiving property, as in the
case of a multi-use property (e.g., sound generated within a commercial
unit of a multi-use property building and received within a residential
unit of the same building) or multi-dwelling-unit building. Indoor
measurements must be taken if the property line between the receiving
property and the source property is a common wall, such as in a multi-dwelling-unit
building. The allowable sound level standards for indoors are as shown
in Table 1 of this section.
(c)
Impulsive sound may not equal or exceed 80 decibels at any time.
D.
Restricted uses and activities.
(1)
The noncommercial or nonindustrial use of power tools and landscaping
and yard maintenance equipment may not occur between the hours of
8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., unless such activities can meet the applicable
limits set forth in Table 1. At all other times, the limits set forth
in Table 1 do not apply to noncommercial or nonindustrial power tools
and landscaping and yard maintenance equipment.
(2)
The commercial or industrial use of power tools and landscaping and
yard maintenance equipment, excluding emergency work, may not occur
on a residential property, or within 250 feet of a residential property
line, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day,
unless such activities can meet the limits set forth in Table 1. In
addition, the commercial or industrial use of power tools and landscaping
and yard maintenance equipment, excluding emergency work, utilized
on commercial or industrial property will meet the limits set forth
in Table 1 of this section between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00
a.m. the following day. At all other times, the limits set forth in
Table 1 do not apply to commercial or industrial power tools and landscaping
and yard maintenance equipment.
(3)
Construction and demolition activity, excluding emergency work, may
not be performed between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the
following day on weekdays, or between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 10:00
a.m. the following day on weekends and federal holidays, unless such
activities can meet the limits set forth in Table 1. At all other
times, the limits set forth in Table 1 do not apply to construction
and demolition activities.
(4)
Motorized snowblowers, snow throwers, and lawn equipment with attached
snowplows will be operated at all permitted times with a muffler.
(5)
An exterior burglar alarm of a building or motor vehicle must be
operated so that, upon activation, it terminates its operation within
five minutes for continuous airborne sound or within 15 minutes for
impulsive sound.
(6)
Operating or causing to be operated a motor vehicle or motorcycle
on a public right-of-way at any time in such a manner that the sound
level emitted by the motor vehicle or motorcycle exceeds the level
set forth in Table 2 of this section when measured at 25 feet or more,
except that vehicles are allowed to exceed the noise limits contained
herein when performing acceleration maneuvers for safety purposes.
In addition, no person may operate or cause or allow to be operated
any motor vehicle or motorcycle not equipped with a muffler or other
sound-dissipative device in good working order and in constant operation.
No person may remove or render inoperative or cause or allow to be
removed or rendered inoperative, other than for purposes of maintenance,
repair, or replacement, any muffler or sound-dissipative device on
a motor vehicle or motorcycle. No person may sound any horn or other
auditory signaling device on or in any motor vehicle on any public
right-of-way or public space except as a warning of danger or as otherwise
specifically required by federal or state law or title. No person
may sound any horn or other auditory signaling device that produces
a sound level in excess of 90 dB(A) at 100 feet (30.5 meters).
(a)
Personal or commercial vehicular music amplification or reproduction
equipment may not be operated in such a manner that it is plainly
audible at a residential property line between the hours of 8:00 p.m.
and 7:00 a.m. the following day.
(b)
Personal vehicular music amplification equipment may not be
operated in such a manner so as to exceed the decibel limits described
in Table 2 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
(7)
Self-contained, portable, hand-held music or sound-amplification
or -reproduction equipment may not be operated on a public space or
public right-of-way in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a
distance of 25 feet in any direction from the operator.
(8)
The sound of the ignition of any ground audible or aerial firework
shall not exceed 80 db as received at a distance of 50 feet or more.
(9)
Sound levels exceeding the limits set forth in Table 1 are prohibited
between residential units within the same multi-dwelling-unit building.
Measurements will be taken indoors as per Table 3.
E.
Exemptions. Sounds caused by the following are exempt from the prohibitions set out in § 192-80C:
(1)
Repairs of utility structures which pose a clear and immediate danger
to life, health, or significant loss of property.
(2)
Sirens, whistles, or bells lawfully used by emergency vehicles, or other alarm systems used in case of fire, collision, civil defense, police activity, or imminent danger, provided that the prohibition contained in § 192-80C(4) continues to apply.
(3)
The emission of sound for the purpose of alerting persons to the
existence of an emergency or the emission of sound in the performance
of emergency work.
(4)
Repairs or excavations of bridges, streets or highways by or on behalf
of the City of Las Vegas, the state, or the federal government, between
the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., when public welfare and convenience
renders it impractical to perform the work between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00
p.m.
(5)
Outdoor school and playground activities. Reasonable activities conducted
on public playgrounds and public or private school grounds, which
are conducted in accordance with the manner in which such spaces are
generally used, including, but not limited to, school athletic and
school entertainment events.
(6)
Other outdoor events. Outdoor gatherings, public dances, shows and
sporting events, and other similar outdoor events, provided that a
permit has been obtained from the appropriate permitting authority.
(7)
The ignition of fireworks, including ground audibles as may be permitted
for City of Las Vegas sponsored events, school-sponsored sporting
events, and other City of Las Vegas permitted outdoor events.
F.
Variance procedure.
(1)
The City Manager or his/her delegate may grant individual variances
beyond the limitations prescribed in these criteria and standards
whenever it is found, upon presentation of adequate proof, that compliance
with any of the criteria and standards, or with any related regulation
or order, would impose unreasonable hardships or is necessary in the
interest of public welfare. In granting a variance, the City Manager
or his/her authorized delegate may impose such conditions as he or
she may determine are necessary or desirable to carry out the policies
of this section.
(2)
Any variance granted pursuant to this section will be granted for
the period of time as specified by the City Manager or his/her delegate
in the variance and upon the condition that the person who receives
the variance will comply with all conditions thereof.
(3)
Any person seeking a variance must file an application in a form
acceptable to the City Manager and must submit an assessment of the
noise impact to be caused by the activity for which the variance is
requested.
(a)
The application required to be filed pursuant to this section
shall contain the following information:
[1]
The date of the application and the date and hours for which
the variance is requested.
[2]
The name and address of the applicant.
[3]
The name and address of the person who will have charge of the
sound-amplifying equipment.
[4]
The address and a description of the location where the sound-amplifying
equipment is to be used.
[5]
A description of the type of sound-amplifying equipment to be
used.
[6]
Anticipated impact upon the neighborhood.
(4)
Issued permits will be surrendered to any governmental police officer,
noise control officer or any department representative authorized
to enforce this section upon request when it is determined that any
requirement contained in this permit has been violated.
(5)
A subsequent permit application may be denied upon substantial complaint(s) by a resident(s) or business in the locality of the permitted activity or if an applicant has, in the past, been required to surrender a permit as described in Subsection F(4).
(6)
Any person aggrieved by the disposition of an application for a temporary
permit may appeal such disposition by filing a written petition with
the Manager of the local government within 30 days of this disposition.
G.
Enforcement.
(1)
The Police Chief will have primary responsibility for the enforcement of the noise regulations contained herein. The City retains the right to issue permits for noise that exceeds the levels contained in this § 192-80.
(2)
The City of Las Vegas will enforce this section with regard to unreasonable
noise created by animals as follows:
(a)
Complaints must be submitted to the City of Las Vegas Police
Department dispatch and include the address, to the extent known,
of the person responsible for the animal or bird, and a description
of the noise.
(b)
Upon receiving a complaint, dispatch will assign an officer
to investigate the complaint. If the officer witnesses the unreasonable
noise, he/she shall take immediate steps to cause the owner to abate
the noise, and may issue a citation for violation of this section.
(c)
If the officer does not witness the alleged unreasonable noise,
but determines that the complaint has merit based upon witness statements,
he/she shall issue a notice to abate to the person responsible for
the animal or bird, advising that person of the alleged noise and
requesting that immediate steps be taken to abate the noise, allowing
a seven-day period within which to correct the problem.
(d)
Failure of the owner to correct the problem within the time
allotted shall result in the issuance of a citation for violation
of this section and be subject to all the penalties permitted by the
City of Las Vegas Municipal Code.
(3)
The City Attorney is empowered to seek equitable relief by petitioning
a court for an injunction seeking to remedy the unlawful conduct,
which shall be cumulative to any other remedies provided for herein.
(4)
Each occurrence of a violation of any provision of this section,
or, in the case of continuous violations, each day a violation occurs
or continues, constitutes a separate offense and may be punished separately.
(5)
In the event that any person charged with a violation of any provision of this § 192-80 is granted a deferral of any kind whatsoever, said charged person shall pay an administrative fee of $100 for each violation charged under this § 192-80.
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Table 1
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|---|---|---|
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Daytime Hours
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
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Nighttime Hours
8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
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Commercial
|
70
|
60
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Industrial
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85
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60
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Residential
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65
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50
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Mixed-use indoor
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65
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40
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All limits expressed in dba. Measurements to be taken at real
property line of the receiving property.
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*(Decibel levels are close approximations - levels to be set
after enforcers are educated and multi-week noise level recordings
are reviewed.)
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Table 2
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Motor Vehicles
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Sound Level Limit
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These requirements apply to the total sound from a vehicle or
combination of vehicles and shall not be construed as limiting or
precluding the enforcement of any other provisions of this article
relating to motor vehicle mufflers for noise control.
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(1)
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Motorcycles. No person shall operate a motorcycle which exceeds
99 dB, measured in accordance with SAE Stationary Test Method J1287
or similar department-approved method.
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(2)
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No person shall operate a motor vehicle having a manufacturer's
gross vehicle rating of less than 6,000 pounds, except a motorcycle,
which exceeds 95 dB measured 20 inches (508 mm) from the exhaust outlet.
The measured exhaust system sound level of a stationary vehicle shall
be the highest reading obtained during the test, disregarding unrelated
peaks due to extraneous ambient noise. When there is more than one
exhaust outlet, the reported sound level shall be for the loudest
outlet. When there is more than one exhaust outlet extending from
a single muffler, separated by less than 12 inches (305 mm), measurements
shall not be made on the outlet furthest from the side of the vehicle.
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(3)
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No person shall operate a motor vehicle having a manufacturer's
gross vehicle weight rating of at least 6,000 pounds which exceeds
93 dB, measured 25 feet (7.6 m) from the side of the vehicle. The
sound-level meter shall be observed during the full cycle of engine
acceleration-deceleration, and the measured sound-level reading shall
be the highest value obtained during this cycle, excluding unrelated
peaks due to extraneous ambient noise. When there is more than one
outlet, the sound level for each side of the vehicle shall be measured,
and the reported sound level shall be the average of the two highest
readings within 1 dB of each other on the louder side.
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(4)
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All motor vehicles shall have a ninety-day grace period from
the date of publication of this section to comply with the vehicle
noise emission regulations herein.
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Table 3
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Method of Sound Measurement
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Indoor/Outdoor
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Whenever portions of this article prohibit sound over a certain
decibel limit, measurement shall be made with a Type 1 or Type 2 calibrated
sound-level meter utilizing the A-weighting scale and the slow meter
response as specified by the American Standards Association. Measurements
recorded shall be taken so as to provide a proper representation of
the sound being measured. The microphone of the meter shall be positioned
so as not to create any unnatural enhancement or diminution of the
measured sound. A windscreen for the microphone shall be used. Traffic,
aircraft, and other transportation noise shall not be considered in
taking measurements, except where such background noise interferes
with the noise being measured and cannot reasonably be distinguished
from the primary noise. Measurements of sound generated shall be taken
from the curbline of the nearest public street to the property where
the sound is generated and taken toward the source of the sound. In
the event that there is not at least 50 feet of distance from the
building in which sound is being generated and from which sound is
being measured, then measurements shall be taken from the City of
Las Vegas curbline opposite the said building of the nearest public
street to the property where the sound is generated.
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With regard to motor vehicles to include motorcycles, measurements
are to be taken by SPL meter:
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(1)
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At idle speed;
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(2)
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At specified RPM;
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(3)
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At a distance of four feet from where exhaust exits the tailpipe;
or
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(4)
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Per SPL meter manufacture recommendations.
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