§ 10-34. Exempt noises.

The following uses and activities shall be exempt from noise level regulations:

(1)

Lawn maintenance and agricultural equipment between 7:00 a.m. and the earlier of sunset or 8:00 p.m. when operated with all the manufacturer's standard mufflers and noise-reducing equipment in use and in proper operating condition.

(2)

Non-amplified crowd noise and an amplified announcer voice for a sporting event resulting from activities such as those sponsored by school, church, governmental or community groups, when held in an appropriate zoning district between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

(3)

Noises of safety signals, warning devices, emergency relief valves and bells and chimes of churches.

(4)

Noises resulting from any authorized emergency vehicle when responding to an emergency call or acting in time of an emergency. Emergency vehicles are encouraged to avoid using local roads and collector roads except when necessary to arrive at the scene of the emergency. These roads are typically in residential areas, with children playing and with the lowest posted speed limits. Emergency vehicles travelling at a high rate of speed even with emergency lights and sirens create a potentially dangerous situation and disruption to the residential character of the neighborhoods. Emergency vehicles should primarily use principal arterial roads in the city, which are Ridgewood Avenue, Beville Road and Nova Road.

(5)

Noises caused by public utility system emergency operations of the city government, such as those associated with a lift or pump station.

(6)

Operations for which building permits have been issued or operations not requiring permits due to ownership of the project by an agency of government, providing all equipment is operated as per the manufacturer's specifications and with all standard equipment, manufacturer's mufflers and noise-reducing equipment in use and in proper operating condition. Such operations shall be limited to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and the earlier of sunset or 7:00 p.m. on each day of the week throughout the year; however, other hours, based upon important need, maybe allowed by the city under special permit.

(7)

All noise generated from the normal operations of aircraft (not including scale models).

(8)

All noise generated by the normal operations of railroad trains.

(9)

Noise generated by air conditioners when functioning in accord with the manufacturer's standard mufflers and noise reducing equipment in use and in proper operating condition according to the standards promulgated by the American Refrigeration Institute.

(10)

Sound produced by outside sound-amplification devices used on residential property in connection with a private party or function. However, such sound shall not exceed the maximum applicable decibel level specified in section 10-32, shall not be produced for more than six (6) hours in a 24-hour period and shall not be produced after 10:00 p.m. or before 10:00 a.m.

(11)

Sound produced by outside sound-amplification equipment used by governmental agencies for law enforcement or public safety purposes.

(12)

All sound generated by normal vehicular traffic on streets within the city.

(13)

Noises from work in a public right-of-way authorized by the city manager or state department of transportation.

(14)

Outside amplification at special events approved by the city council in section 10-35.

(Ord. No. 94-23, § 2, 1-10-95; Ord. No. 18-11 , § 1, 7-10-18)