§ 12-31. Definitions.

The following terms, words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings hereinafter ascribed to them, unless otherwise clearly indicated by the context in which used:

Decibel. A unit for measuring the volume of sound equal to twenty (20) times the logarithm to the base ten (10) or the ratio of the pressure of the sound in microbars to a reference pressure of 0.0002 microbar; and is abbreviated db(a) or dba.

Device. Any mechanism, which is intended to, or actually produces noise when operated or handled.

Emergency work. Any work made necessary to restore property to a safe condition following a public calamity, or work required to protect persons or property from immediate exposure to danger, including work performed by public service companies when emergency inspection, repair of facilities or restoration of services is required for the immediate health, safety or welfare of the community.

Motor vehicle. Any vehicle which is self-propelled or designed for self-propulsion including, but not limited to, passenger cars, trucks, truck-trailers, semitrailers, campers, motor boats and racing vehicles and any motorcycle (including, but not limited to, motor scooters, mini-bikes, all-terrain vehicles and three wheelers) as defined by Code of Virginia, § 46.2-100, Definitions.

Noise. Any sound which may cause or tends to cause an annoyance or disturbance or which causes or tends to cause an adverse physiological or psychological effect on human beings.

Noise disturbance. Any unnecessary sound which annoys, disturbs or perturbs reasonable persons with normal sensitivities; or any unnecessary sound which reasonably may be perceived to injure or endanger the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of any person.

Sound. Any oscillation in pressure or particle medium with internal forces that causes rarefaction of that medium. The description of sound may include any characteristic of such sound, including duration, intensity and frequency.

Sound level. The weighted sound pressure level obtained by the use of a sound level meter and the A-frequency-weighting network, as specified in the American National Standards Institute Specification for Sound Level Meters.

Sound level meter. An instrument which includes a microphone amplifier, RMS detector, integrator or time average, output meter and weighting networks used to measure sound pressure levels.

Sound pressure. The instantaneous difference between the actual pressure and the average or barometric pressure at a given point in space.

Person. Any individual, corporation, cooperative, partnership, firm, association, trust, estate, private institution, group, agency or any legal successors, representative, agent or agency thereof.

Public right-of-way. Any street, avenue, boulevard, highway, alley or public space which is owned or controlled by a public governmental entity.

Weighted sound level. The sound pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound level meter using the A-Weighing network.

(Ord. of 5-16-06)

(Ord. of 5-16-06)