§ 16-71. Definitions.
All words used in this article not defined in this section shall be in conformance with applicable publications of the American Standards Institute (ANSI) or its successor body. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Ambient noise means the all-encompassing noise associated with a given environment, being usually a composite of sounds from many sources near and far. Ambient noise levels are established by taking a series of observations on the adversely affected property. (See proof of source and ambient background level in section 16-74.)
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).
Decibel (dB) means a unit for describing the amplitude of sound equal to 20 times the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is 20 micro newtons per square meter.
Electronic sound amplification system means any radio, tape player, compact disc player, loudspeaker or other electronic device used for the amplification of sound.
Emergency work means any work performed for the purpose of preventing or alleviating physical trauma or property damage threatened or caused by an existing or imminent peril.
Frequency means of a periodic phenomenon, such as sound wave, the number of times in one second (i.e., the number of cycles per second) that the phenomenon repeats itself. The unit of frequency is the Hertz (Hz), which corresponds to one cycle per second.
Hertz means the unit of frequency, formerly "cycles per second." (See Frequency. )
Holiday means the following days: St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Halloween and December 31.
Level means the logarithm of the ratio of a given quantity to a reference quantity of the same kind. The kind of level is usually indicated by a compound term such as "sound pressure level."
Muffler or sound dissipating device means an apparatus consisting of a series of chambers or baffle plates designed for the purpose of transmitting gases while reducing sound emanating from such apparatus.
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 control officer means any police officer or duly designated official of the town responsible for the enforcement of this article.
Noise disturbance means any sound which endangers or injures the safety or health of humans or animals; annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities; or endangers or injures personal or real property.
Noise sensitive zone means any area designated by the town for the purpose of ensuring exceptional quiet.
Octave means the interval of frequency between two sounds whose frequency ratio is two.
Octave band sound level means the sound pressure level in decibels for the sound being measured which is contained within a specified octave band of frequencies identified by the center frequency of that octave as defined by ANSI S1.6.
Outdoor amplified sound means any sound created by an electronic sound amplification system, the source for which is outside, or inside and the sound propagates to the outside through open doors or windows, other openings in the building, or through the walls, roof, or structure of the building.
Owner of real property means the owner, or listed owner, of real property as defined in G.S. 105-302.
Person means any individual, association, partnership, or corporation and includes any officer, employee, department, agency or instrumentality of the United States, the state or any political subdivision thereof.
Plainly audible means any sound produced which can be clearly heard at a distance of 75 feet or more. Measurement standards shall be the auditory senses, based upon the direct line of sight. Terms or phrases need not be discernible and bass reverberations are included.
Repetitive impulsive sound means any sound which is composed of individual sounds lasting less than a second (such as hammer blows, drum beats, or gunshots) which are repeated continuously at a rate such that a sound level meter set at "fast" response will show changes in sound level greater than ten dB, but that the same meter set on "slow" response will show changes of less than five dB between the individual sounds.
Slow response means a measure technique to obtain an average value when measuring a noise level that fluctuates over a range of four dB or more. By way of illustration only, a sound level meter set on "slow response" would record a sound level between two and six dB less than the reading for a steady signal of the same frequency and amplitude when a tone of 1,000 Hz and for a duration of 0.5 seconds is applied.
Sound means an oscillation in pressure, particle displacement, particle velocity or other physical parameter, in a medium with internal forces that causes compression, and rarefaction of that medium. The description of sound may include any characteristic of such sound, including duration, intensity, and frequency.
Sound level means the weighted sound pressure level obtained by the use of a sound level meter and frequency weighting network, such as "A," "B," or "C" as specified in (ANSI S1.4). If the frequency weighting employed is not indicated, the "A" weighting shall apply.
Sound level meter means an instrument for measuring sound levels including a microphone, a means of displaying the sound level, a "slow" averaging rate, and the A-weighting network as specified in standards ANSI S1.4 and IEC 651. A sound level meter may or may not include a selectable "fast" averaging rate as defined in the aforementioned standards, and may or may not include or have attached any of the following: the necessary filters in conformance with ANSI S1.11 to measure octave band or one-third-octave-band sound levels, the capability to measure the average sound level over a period of time, or the capability to determine automatically the level exceeded by any given percentage of any given time period.
Sound pressure level means 20 times the logarithm to the base ten of the root mean squared (RMS) sound pressure to the reference pressure of 20 micro newtons per square meter.
Tenant means one who resides on or has the temporary use or occupancy of real property owned by another person. In the case of residential property, the term "tenant" shall be considered to mean any individual actually residing at the residential location, whether such person is listed on a lease or not.
Zoning districts means land classifications within the town that regulate the uses and the locations of structures. Zoning districts are established in chapter 48 of this Code.
(Code 1990, § 13-6.1)
Cross reference
Definitions generally, § 1-2.