[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Health of the Township of Cranbury 11-3-1983. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CONTINUOUS AIRBORNE SOUND
Sound that is measured by the slow-response setting of a sound-level meter.
DECIBEL
A unit for measuring the volume of a sound, equal to the logarithm of the ratio of the sound pressure of the sound to the sound pressure of a standard sound 0.0002 microbar); abbreviated "dB."
dBA
The measured sound level expressed in dB when using the A-weighted network of a sound-level meter.
FREQUENCY
The number of oscillations per second, expressed in hertz (abbreviation "Hz").
IEC
International Electrotechnic Commission.
IMPULSIVE SOUND
Either a single pressure peak or a single burst (multiple pressure peaks) for a duration less than one second.
IMPULSIVE SOUND LEVEL
The maximum instantaneous sound-pressure level measured by an impulse sound-level meter meeting IEC Publication 179, or the latest revision thereof.
NOISE CONTROL OFFICER
The Cranbury Township Health Officer or his representative, who has the primary responsibility for the enforcement and administration of this chapter.
OCTAVE BAND SOUND-PRESSURE LEVEL
Sound-pressure level measured in standard octave bands with a sound-level meter and octave band analyzer that meet ANSI S 1.4 and S 1.11, or the latest revision thereof.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY LINE
The boundary line of any lot located in the township which is used for residential purposes.
SOUND LEVEL
The measured level of a sound, expressed in dB re 0.0002 microbar, obtained using a sound-level meter. "Sound levels" include all factors inherent in measuring with a sound-level meter, including microphone frequency response, amplifier characteristics, meter damping, observer effects and weighting networks.
SOUND-PRESSURE LEVEL
The "sound-pressure level," in decibels, of a sound is 20 times the logarithm to the base of 10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound to the reference sound pressure. "Sound-pressure level" is measured with a sound-level meter meeting ANSI S 1.4, or the latest revision thereof.
STATIONARY EMERGENCY SIGNALING DEVICE
Any device, excluding those attached to motor vehicles, used to alert persons engaged in emergency operations. These include, but are not limited to, fire fighters, first-aid squad members and law enforcement officers, whether paid or volunteer.
A. 
The noise control program established by this chapter shall be administered by the Township Board of Health through the Health Officer, which will have the overall responsibility to coordinate, implement and enforce this chapter.
B. 
The Noise Control Officer shall review public and private projects subject to mandatory review or approval by other township departments for compliance with this chapter if said projects are likely to cause sound or vibration in violation of the standards set forth herein.
C. 
The Noise Control Officer may delegate functions where appropriate pursuant to this chapter to personnel within the office and to other agencies and departments of the Township of Cranbury.
Upon the effective date of this chapter, the following shall be considered to be acts prohibited in any zone designated on the Official Zoning Map of the Township of Cranbury and being defined as a zone with its principal use for residential purposes:
A. 
Use of any radio, musical instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker, sound amplifier, sound radiator or other machine or device for the production, reproduction or amplification of sound in such a manner or such volume between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. to disturb the quiet and create unnecessary noise to adjacent or neighboring property owners.
B. 
The use of any tools or equipment used for the construction, demolition, repair, paving, excavation or alteration of a building or street between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
C. 
Loading, unloading, opening, closing or any handling of boxes, crates, containers, building or industrial materials, liquids, garbage cans or similar objects between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in such a manner as to disturb the quiet and create unnecessary noise.
D. 
Operation of any mechanically powered saw, drill, grinder, sander, lawn or garden tool or similar device between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. to disturb the quiet and create unnecessary noise to adjacent or neighboring property owners.
Upon the effective date of this chapter, no person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit sound from any industrial or commercial operation which, when measured at any residential property line, is in excess of any of the following:
A. 
From 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
(1) 
Continuous airborne sound which has a sound level in excess of 65 dBA; or
(2) 
Continuous airborne sound which has an octave band sound-pressure level in decibels which exceeds the values listed below in one or more octave bands:
Octave Band
Center Frequency
Octave Band Sound-
Pressure Level
(Hz)
(dB)
31.5
96
63
82
125
74
250
67
500
63
1,000
60
2,000
57
4,000
55
8,000
53
or
(3) 
Impulsive sound in air which has an impulsive sound level in excess of 80 decibels.
B. 
From 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
(1) 
Continuous airborne sound which has a sound level in excess of 50 dBA; or
(2) 
Continuous airborne sound which has an octave band sound-pressure level in decibels which exceeds the values listed below in one or more octave bands:
Octave Band
Center Frequency
Octave Band Sound-
Pressure Level
(Hz)
(dB)
31.5
86
63
71
125
61
250
53
500
48
1,000
45
2,000
42
4,000
40
8,000
38
or
(3) 
Impulsive sound in air which has an impulsive sound level in excess of 80 decibels.
C. 
No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit sound from any industrial or commercial operation, which when measured at the property line of any other commercial operation is in excess of any of the following:
(1) 
Continuous airborne sound which has a sound level in excess of 65 dBA; or
(2) 
Continuous airborne sound which has an octave band sound-pressure level in decibels which exceeds the values listed below in one or more octave bands:
Octave Band
Center Frequency
Octave Band Sound-
Pressure Level
(Hz)
(dB)
31.5
96
63
82
125
74
250
67
500
63
1,000
60
2,000
57
4,000
55
8,000
53
or
(3) 
Impulsive sound in air which has an impulsive sound level in excess of 80 decibels.
Upon the effective date of this chapter:
A. 
Testing of only the electromechanical functioning of a stationary emergency signaling device shall occur at the same time each day that a test is performed, but not before 8:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. Any such testing shall only use the minimum cycle test time. In no case shall such test time exceed 10 seconds.
B. 
Testing of the complete emergency signaling system, including the electromechanical functioning of the signaling device and the personnel response to the signal, shall not occur more than once in each calendar month. Such testing shall not occur before 8:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. The ten-second time limit on the electromechanical functioning of the signaling device shall not apply to such system testing.
(1) 
Stationary emergency signaling devices shall be used only for testing in compliance with applicable provisions of these regulations and for emergency purposes where personnel and equipment are mobilized.
The operational performance standards established in this chapter shall not apply to any of the following noise sources:
A. 
Agriculture.
B. 
Bells, chimes or cannons while being used in conjunction with religious services.
C. 
Emergency energy-release devices.
D. 
Emergency work to provide electricity, water or other public utilities when public health or safety are involved.
E. 
National Warning System (NAWAS) used to warn the community of attack or imminent public danger such as flooding or explosion. These systems are controlled by the New Jersey Civil Defense and Disaster Control Agency.
F. 
Noise of aircraft flight operations.
G. 
Public celebrations.
H. 
The unamplified human voice.
I. 
Use of explosive devices, only as permitted by state law regulating the same.
J. 
Noise created by the sound of gunshots from hunting in permitted areas of the township.
For the purposes of measuring sound in accordance with the applicable provisions of these regulations, test equipment methods and procedures shall conform to standards as published by the Department of Environmental Protection or its approved equivalent.
All motorized vehicles of any type, including automobiles, motorcycles, mopeds, motorbikes, trailbikes, trucks and tractors, shall be permitted to be operated in the township only if they are equipped with mufflers or sound-restricting devices similar in nature. Any operator of a vehicle which does not have a muffler or sound-restricting device of similar nature shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $100.
[Added 5-3-1984]
Any property owner, tenant, person, corporation or other entity which permits the creation or emanation of any noise within the Township of Cranbury which violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $100 per occurrence, and in the event that said noise continues on a daily basis, each day of the creation and/or emanation of said noise shall constitute a separate violation subject to a fine not to exceed $100 per day.