§ 17-1. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

A-weighted sound level means the sound level as measured with the A-weighting network on a sound level meter meeting the standards set forth in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) S1.4-1983 or its successors. The unit of reporting is dBA. Sounds measured with the "A" weighting network approximate the response of human hearing when measuring sounds of low to moderate intensity without an amplified low frequency component.

Ambient sound level means that measured value which represents the summation of the sound from all of the discrete sources affecting a given site at a given time, exclusive of extraneous sounds and those from the source under investigation. Ambient sound level is synonymous with background sound level. Ambient sounds are differentiated from extraneous sounds by the fact that the former are of a more steady state, although they may not be continuous.

Amplified sound means the reproduction of sound from any radio, stereo, CD player, DVD player, microphone, drum, turn table, audio or visual equipment, musical instrument, sound equipment, sound amplification device, television set, exterior loudspeakers, bullhorn or any similar device.

Backup alarm means an audible safety device designed to alert people that a vehicle is operating in reverse, meeting Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules at 29 CFR Part 1926.601(b)(4) and 29 CFR Part 1026.602(a)(9), which require, in part, that: the vehicle has a reverse signal alarm audible above the surrounding noise level.

C-weighted sound level is the sound level as measured using the "C" weighting network with a sound level meter meeting the standards as set forth in ANSI S1.4-1983 or its successors. The unit of reporting is dBC. The "C" weighting network is more sensitive to low frequencies than the "A" weighting network.

Continuous sound means any sound with a duration of more than one (1) second, as measured with a sound level meter set to the "slow" meter response.

Decibel means a logarithmic (dimensionless) unit of measure often used in describing the amplitude of sound. Decibel is denoted as dB.

Emergency energy release device means a device used specifically to release excess energy on a non-scheduled basis as necessary for purposes of safety.

Extraneous sound means a sound of high intensity and relatively short duration which is neither part of the ambient sound, nor comes from the sound source under investigation.

Impulsive sound means a sound that has a duration of less than one (1) second and comes from the sound source under investigation.

LMAX means the maximum sound level measured during the sound measurement period.

Mechanical device means any device that transmits or modifies energy.

Moped means any vehicle with pedals to permit propulsion by human power, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels; with a motor rated not in excess of two (2) brake horsepower and not capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed greater than thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground; as defined in F.S. § 316.03, as may be amended from time to time.

Motor vehicle means any self-propelled vehicle not operated upon rails or guideway, but not including any bicycle, motorized scooter, electric personal assistive mobility device, or moped; as defined in F.S. § 316.03, as may be amended from time to time.

Motorboat means any vessel equipped with machinery for propulsion, irrespective of whether the propulsion machinery is on actual operation; as defined in F.S. § 327.02, as may be amended from time to time.

Motorcycle means any motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor or moped; as defined in F.S. § 316.03, as may be amended from time to time.

Motorized scooter means any vehicle not having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels, and not capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed greater than thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground; as defined in F.S. § 316.03, as may be amended from time to time.

Mixed-use property means more than one (1) type of use in a building or set of buildings; some combination of residential and non-residential use.

Multifamily dwelling means any building occupied or intended to be occupied by more than two (2) families, living separately and with separate kitchens or facilities for cooking on the premises. This includes apartments, condominiums and coach homes, but does not include hotels, motels, bed and breakfast, townhouse, or cluster dwellings.

Noise means, for the purposes of this chapter, any sound that is in violation of any provision of this chapter.

Noise control officer means environmental inspectors, building and zoning inspectors, code enforcement officers and police enforcement personnel authorized to enforce provisions of this code.

Noise disturbance means any sound which is unreasonably loud, raucous, or jarring to reasonable persons of ordinary sensibilities, or any sound which affects the health, safety, or welfare of other persons, or exceeds the noise levels as defined in section 17-6.

Plainly audible means any sound that can be detected by a person using his or her unaided hearing faculties.

Public right-of-way and public space means land conveyed or dedicated by plat, deed, easement or other conveyance which is devoted to, required for or intended for the use by the public as a means of public traverse and other public purposes.

Real property line means either (a) the boundary line of a parcel; (b) the vertical and horizontal boundaries of a dwelling unit that is part of a multifamily dwelling; or (c) on a mixed-use property, the interface between the two (2) portions of the property on which different categories of activity are being performed.

Single-family dwelling is a dwelling unit designed for or occupied by one (1) family and includes standard, detached, and attached dwellings.

Single-family dwelling (attached) is a one-family dwelling attached to another one-family dwelling by a common vertical wall and where each unit is located on a separate plot. Single-family dwellings that are attached include duplex, cluster, and townhouse dwellings.

Sound means oscillations in pressure in a medium with elasticity and viscosity, such as air, that evoke auditory sensation in the human ear.

Sound level meter means an instrument that measures sound and conforms to ANSI S1.4-1983 or its successor publications.

Total sound level means that measured level which represents the summation of the sounds from the sound source under investigation and the ambient sounds which affect a given place at a given time, exclusive of extraneous sound sources.

Vessel means every watercraft, barge, and airboat, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, as defined in F.S. § 327.02, as may be amended from time to time.

( Ord. No. C-08-37, § 2, 7-15-08 )