§ 3-17-41. Definitions.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, the meaning of the terms used in this article is as set forth in this section.

General: All definitions in all applicable publications of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) (SI.1-1976, Acoustical Terminology) or its successor body.

A-weighted sound level (dBA): The sound pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound level meter using the A-weighted network. The level so read is designated "dBA."

Construction: Any site, preparation, assembly, erection, substantial repair, alteration or similar action but excluding demolition, for or of public or private right-of-way, structures, utilities or similar property.

Daytime: That period of time covering the hours of 7:00 a.m. (0700) to 10:00 p.m. (2200).

dBA: See "A-weighted sound level."

Decibel (db): A unit for measuring the volume of a sound, equal to twenty (20) times the logarithm to the base ten (10) of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is twenty (20) micropascals (twenty (20) micronewtons per square meter).

Emergency: Any occurrence or set of circumstances involving actual or imminent physical trauma or property damage which demands immediate action.

Impulsive sound: Any sound of short duration, usually less than one (1) second, with an abrupt onset and rapid decay, e.g., explosions, blasting and discharge of firearms.

Land use categories: For the purpose of this article the land use categories shown on Table 1 as "residential," "commercial" and "industrial" shall have their ordinary and customary meaning provided further that the residential classifications shall include the following classification from the county zoning ordinance: RA, R-1, R-2, R-3, RD, RM, RMH, and PD (for all residential uses). The commercial classifications shall include the following classification from the county zoning ordinance: C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, and OI (for all commercial uses). The industrial classifications shall include the following classification from the county zoning ordinance: M1 and M2 (for all industrial uses).

Level L (1): That noise (A-weighted sound level) exceeded one (1) percent of a measurement time equivalent to at least thirty (30) minutes.

Level L (10): That noise (A-weighted sound level) exceeded ten (10) percent of a measurement time equivalent to at least thirty (30) minutes.

Level L (50): That noise (A-weighted sound level) exceeded fifty (50) percent of a measurement time equivalent to at least thirty (30) minutes.

Motor vehicles: All self-propelled vehicles as defined in the Georgia Motor Vehicle Code, specifically including but not limited to mini-bikes, recreational vehicles, trail bikes and go-carts.

Nighttime: That period of time cover the hours from 10:00 p.m. (2200) to 7:00 a.m. (0700).

Noise: Any sound which endangers or injures the safety or health of humans or animals, which annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities or endangers or damages real or personal property.

Real property boundary: An imaginary line along the ground surface, and its vertical extension, which separates the real property owned by one (1) person from that owned by another, but not including intra-building real property divisions.

Receiving land use category: That parcel of real property onto which noise travels or is received from any source on another parcel of real property.

Sound: An oscillation in pressure, particle displacement, particle velocity or other physical parameter, in a medium with internal forces that cause compression and rarefaction of that medium. The description of sound may include any characteristics of such sound, including, but not limited to duration, intensity and frequency.

(Ord. No. 00-08, § 1, 8-1-2000)