[Ord. No. 2026-02, 3-10-2026]
All terminology used in this Article, not specifically defined, shall be in conformance with applicable publications of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or its successor body. For the purpose of this Article, certain words and phrases used herein are defined as follows:
A-WEIGHTED SOUND LEVEL
Means the sound pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound level meter using the A-weighted network. The level so read is designated dB(A) or dBA.
CONSTRUCTION
Means any site preparation, assembly, erection, repair, alteration or similar action, including demolition, for or of public or private rights-of-way, structures, utilities or similar property. Decibel (dB) means a unit for measuring the volume of a sound.
EMERGENCY
Means any occurrence or set of circumstances involving actual or imminent physical trauma, property damage or protection of commerce which demands immediate action. "Emergency work" means any work performed for the purpose of preventing or alleviating the physical trauma, property damage or protection of commerce threatened or caused by an emergency.
For the purposes of this Chapter, a time period of continuous of a 30-minute period shall be used, unless otherwise specified.
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
Means the value specified by the manufacturer as the recommended maximum loaded weight of a single motor vehicle.
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
Means the value specified by the manufacturer as the recommended maximum loaded weight of a single motor vehicle.
GROUND COVER
Means any of various low, dense-growing plants, such as ivy, myrtle, low weeds or brush.
MODEL AIRCRAFT
Means any contrivance now known or hereafter invented which is used or designed for flight in the air and which is controlled by manual or remote means but which is not used or designed for the carriage of persons or objects.
MOTOR VEHICLE
Means any vehicle which is propelled or drawn on and by a motor, such as but not limited to passenger cars, trucks, truck-trailers, campers, go-carts, snowmobiles, amphibious craft on land, dune buggies or racing vehicles, but not including motorcycles and unlicensed construction motor vehicles as defined in this Section.
MOTORCYCLE
Means an unenclosed motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the operator and two (2) or three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, including but not limited to motor scooters and minibikes.
NOISE
Means any sound which annoys or disturbs humans or which causes or tends to cause an adverse psychological or physiological effect on humans. "Noise disturbance" means any sound level which, except as authorized by permit:
1. 
Exceeds an equivalent A-weighted sound level (Leq) of sixty (60) dB(A) across a residential real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive zone, between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M.;
2. 
Exceeds an equivalent A-weighted sound level (Leq) of fifty-five (55) dB(A) across a residential real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive zone, between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M.; or
3. 
Exceeds an equivalent A-weighted sound level (Leq) of eighty (80) dB(A) across a real property boundary within a commercial/light industrial district; or
4. 
Disturbs the peace, quiet and comfort of the neighboring residential inhabitants, or at any time with louder volume than is necessary for convenient hearing for the persons who are in the room, vehicle or chamber in which the noise is generated and who are voluntary listeners, or is plainly audible across a residential property line fifty (50) feet or more from the source of the noise; or
5. 
Is generated from public property, including public waters, or on a public right-of-way, within a residential district and is plainly audible fifty (50) feet or more from the source of noise real property boundary means an imaginary line along the ground surface, and its vertical extension, which separates the real property owned by one (1) person from that owned by another person, but not including intrabuilding real property divisions.
SOUND
Means any oscillation in pressure, partial displacement, partial 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 any sound, including duration, intensity and frequency.
SOUND LEVEL
Means the quantity in decibels measured by a sound level meter satisfying the requirements of American National Standards Specification for Sound Level Meters S1.4-1971. This publication is available from the American National Standards Institute, Inc., 1430 Broadway, New York, New York 10018.
SOUND LEVEL METER
Means an instrument which includes a microphone, amplifier, RMS detector, integrator or time averager, output meter, and weighting networks issued to measure sound pressure levels.
UNLICENSED CONSTRUCTION MOTOR VEHICLE
Means any vehicle or equipment used for construction purposes, not required to be licensed by the State, which is propelled or drawn on land by a motor, such as but not limited to cranes, bulldozers, HI loaders, graders, steam shovels or earth-movers, but not including motorcycles or motor vehicles as defined in this Section.
[Ord. No. 2026-02, 3-10-2026]
A. 
No person shall make, continue, or cause to be made or continued any noise disturbance, except, when necessary, in the performance of construction work.
B. 
Non-commercial public speaking and public assembly activities conducted on any public space or public right-of-way shall be exempt from the operation of this Section.
C. 
This Section shall not apply to activities specifically regulated by this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 2026-02, 3-10-2026]
A. 
The following acts, and the causing thereof, are declared to be in violation of this Chapter:
1. 
Aircraft. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or cause to be operated any type of aircraft over the City which produces noise levels exceeding sixty-five (65) dB(A) within the City, but any aircraft operated in conformity with or pursuant to Federal law or regulations shall be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter. Any aircraft operating under technical difficulties, in any kind of distress, under emergency orders of air traffic control or being operated pursuant to and subsequent to the declaration of any emergency under Federal air regulations shall also be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter.
2. 
Animals And Birds. Owning, possessing or harboring any animal or bird which frequently or for continued duration howls, barks, meows, squawks or makes other sounds which create a noise disturbance:
a. 
Across a residential real property boundary; or public zoos or the keeping or maintaining of livestock more than one hundred (100) feet from the nearest residential dwelling.
3. 
Domestic Power Tools. Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically or electrically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, lawn or garden tool, or similar device used outdoors in residential areas between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. the following day so as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary.
4. 
Firearms And Similar Devices. The use or firing of firearms or similar devices which create impulsive sound so as to cause a noise disturbance across a real property boundary or on a public space or right-of-way. Explosive permits issued are not regulated by this Section.
5. 
Loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans or similar objects between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. the following day in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary in the performance of construction work.
6. 
Loudspeakers And Public Address Systems.
a. 
Using or operating for any commercial or non-commercial purpose any loudspeaker, public address system, handheld electrically powered device amplifying speech, or similar device such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance. The speakers must be at least ten (10) feet away from open doors or windows.
b. 
Using or operating for any commercial purpose any loudspeaker, public address system, handheld electrically powered device amplifying speech, or similar device between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. the following day on a public right-of-way or public space.
7. 
Places Of Public Entertainment.
a. 
Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier or similar device which produces, reproduces or amplifies sound at a sound level greater than seventy-five (75) dB(A) on a sound level meter at any point that is normally occupied by a customer in any place of public entertainment with a seating capacity of less than fifty (50) persons, unless a conspicuous and legible sign is located outside such place, near each public entrance, stating: "WARNING: SOUND LEVELS WITHIN MAY CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT."
b. 
Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier or similar device which produces, reproduces or amplifies sound in any place of public entertainment which creates a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary.
c. 
Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier or similar device at or within a place of entertainment situated within near a residential property boundary reproduces or amplifies sound in such a manner as to create a sound level which exceeds the of seventy-five (75) dB(A) when measured at or within the real property boundary is plainly audible across a residential property line fifty (50) feet or more from the source of the noise.
8. 
Powered Model Vehicles And Aircraft. Operating or permitting the operation of powered model vehicles or model aircraft so as to create a noise disturbance across a residential property boundary, in a public space between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. the following day.
9. 
Racing Events. Operating or permitting any motor vehicle or motorcycle racing event at any place so as to create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary, in a public space or within a noise-sensitive zone between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. the following day.
10. 
Radios, Television Sets, Musical Instruments And Similar Devices. Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier or similar device which produces, reproduces or amplifies sound:
a. 
At any time in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a real property boundary or within a noise-sensitive zone.
b. 
In such a manner as to create a noise disturbance at fifty (50) feet from such device, when operated in or on a public right-of-way or public space, or in or on public waters.
11. 
Security Alarms.
a. 
Failure To Cease Emitting Sound.
(1) 
Residential Areas. Local alarm systems located within a residential district or within five hundred (500) feet of a residential district failing to cease emitting an audible sound within fifteen (15) minutes of activation are prohibited and shall also constitute a nuisance.
(2) 
Non-Residential Areas. Local alarm systems not located within a residential district and not within five hundred (500) feet of a residential district failing to cease emitting an audible sound within thirty (30) minutes of activation are prohibited and shall also constitute a nuisance.
(3) 
Intermittent Sounds. Alarm systems which emit an intermittent signal failing to cease emitting an audible sound within fifteen (15) minutes of activation in a residential district or within five hundred (500) feet of a residential district, or within thirty (30) minutes of activation in all other areas, are prohibited and shall also constitute a nuisance.
b. 
Exceptions. Alarm systems installed prior to January 1, 1987, which do not have the capability to automatically discontinue the audible alarm sound within the times prescribed.
12. 
Compression Release Braking Systems. It shall be unlawful for any person to utilize a motor vehicle's compression release braking system while traveling on roads or highways within the City with posted right-of-way signs that say "Noise Ordinance Enforced."