Terminology used in this chapter shall be in conformance with definitions in the Palm Springs zoning ordinance and is defined herein as follows:
"Ambient noise level"means an existing level of all-encompassing noise associated with a given environment, usually a composite of sounds from many sources near and far, without inclusion of intruding noises from isolated identifiable sources.
"A-weighted sound level"means the sound pressure 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.
"Commercial area"means land utilized for business purposes other than residential or industrial uses.
"Day"means the time period from seven a.m. to ten p.m.
"Decibel (dB)"means a unit for measuring the volume of a sound 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.
"Emergency work"means any work performed necessary to restore property to a safe condition due to property damage threatened or caused by an emergency.
"Enforcement officer"means the building and safety director or his designee who may enforce the provisions of this chapter.
"Equivalent a-weighted sound level (Leg)"means the constant sound level that, in a given situation and time period, conveys the same sound energy as the actual time-varying A-weighted sound for a given period of time. For the purposes of this chapter, it is an eight-hour period of time.
"Fixed noise source"means a stationary device which creates sounds, including but not limited to agricultural, commercial, industrial, and residential machinery and equipment, pumps, fans, compressors, air conditioners and refrigeration equipment.
"Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)"means the value specified by the manufacturer as the recommended maximum loaded weight of a single motor vehicle. In cases where trailers and tractors are separable, the gross combination weight rating (GCWR), which is the value specified by the manufacturer as the recommended maximum loaded weight of the combination vehicle shall be used.
"Impulsive sound"means a short duration sound of one second or less with an abrupt onset and rapid decay (includes explosion, drop forge impact, or firearm discharge).
"Intrusive noise"means a sound which intrudes over and above the existing ambient noise level at a given location.
"Night"means the time period from ten p.m. to seven a.m.
"Noise disturbance"means any sound which (a) endangers or injures the safety or health of humans or animals, or (b) annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities, or (c) endangers or injures personal or real property.
"Noise sensitive areas"means quiet zones of the city which contain more sensitive activities. Existing quiet zones shall be considered noise sensitive areas until otherwise designated.
"Person"means any individual, association, partnership, or corporation, and includes any officer, employee, department, agency or entity, public or private.
"Powered model vehicle"means any self-propelled airborne, waterborne, or landborne plane, vessel, or vehicle, which is not designed to carry persons, including but not limited to, any model airplane, boat, car or rocket.
"Sound amplifying equipment"means any device used for the amplification of the human voice, music or any other sound. Excluded are standard automobile radios when used and heard only by the occupants of the vehicle in which the radio is held or installed. Also excluded are warning devices on authorized emergency vehicles or horns or other warning devices on any vehicle used only for traffic safety purposes.
"Sound level meter"means an instrument, including a microphone, an amplifier, an output meter, and frequency weighting networks for the measurement of sound levels, which meets or exceeds the requirements pertinent for Type S2A meters in American National Standards Institute specifications for sound level meters, S1.4-1971, or the most recent revision thereof.
"Sound truck"means any motor vehicle, or other vehicle, regardless of motive power, whether in motion or stationary, having mounted thereon, or attached thereto, any sound amplifying equipment.
"Vibration perception threshold"means the minimum ground, or structure-borne vibrational motion necessary to cause a normal person to be aware of the vibration by such direct means as, but not limited to, sensation by touch or visual observation of moving objects. The perception threshold shall be presumed to be a motion velocity of 0.01 in/sec over the range of 1 to 100 Hz.
"Weekday"means any day, Monday through Friday, which is not a legal holiday.
(Ord. 1167 § 1, 1982)