[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:
Sound that is measured by the slow-response setting of a sound-level
meter.
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."
The measured sound level expressed in dB when using the A-weighted
network of a sound-level meter.
The number of oscillations per second, expressed in hertz (abbreviation
"Hz").
International Electrotechnic Commission.
Either a single pressure peak or a single burst (multiple pressure
peaks) for a duration less than one second.
The maximum instantaneous sound-pressure level measured by an impulse
sound-level meter meeting IEC Publication 179, or the latest revision thereof.
The Cranbury Township Health Officer or his representative, who has
the primary responsibility for the enforcement and administration of this
chapter.
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.
The boundary line of any lot located in the township which is used
for residential purposes.
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.
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.
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
From 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
(1)Â
Continuous airborne sound which has a sound level in
excess of 65 dBA; or
(2)Â
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)Â
Impulsive sound in air which has an impulsive sound level
in excess of 80 decibels.
B.Â
From 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
(1)Â
Continuous airborne sound which has a sound level in
excess of 50 dBA; or
(2)Â
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)Â
Impulsive sound in air which has an impulsive sound level
in excess of 80 decibels.
C.Â
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)Â
Continuous airborne sound which has a sound level in
excess of 65 dBA; or
(2)Â
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)Â
Impulsive sound in air which has an impulsive sound level
in excess of 80 decibels.
Upon the effective date of this chapter:
A.Â
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.Â
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)Â
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.Â
Agriculture.
B.Â
Bells, chimes or cannons while being used in conjunction
with religious services.
C.Â
Emergency energy-release devices.
D.Â
Emergency work to provide electricity, water or other
public utilities when public health or safety are involved.
E.Â
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.Â
Noise of aircraft flight operations.
G.Â
Public celebrations.
H.Â
The unamplified human voice.
I.Â
Use of explosive devices, only as permitted by state
law regulating the same.
J.Â
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.
