[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of West
Haven 10-14-2003.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Alarm systems — See Ch. 71.
Curfew — See Ch. 86.
Enforcement of ordinances — See Ch. 128.
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 219.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance replaces former Ch. 154,
Noise, adopted 5-13-1996 by Ord. No. 355, as amended, was declared
invalid by the State of Connecticut's Department of Environmental
Protection because it was not reviewed by the DEP. This new ordinance
was approved by the DEP in December 2003.
The short title of this chapter is "West Haven Noise Control
Ordinance."
It is recognized that people have a right to and should be ensured
an environment free from excessive sound and vibration that may jeopardize
their health or safety or welfare or degrade the quality of life.
This chapter is enacted to protect, preserve and promote the health,
safety, welfare and quality of life for the citizens of West Haven
through the reduction, control and prevention of noise.
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation
and enforcement of this chapter:
Noise of a measurable intensity which exists at a point as
a result of a combination of many distant sources individually indistinguishable.
In statistical terms, it is the level which is exceeded 90% of the
time (L90) in which the measurement is taken.
The City Council of the City of West Haven.
All commercial districts and business districts, including
NB, RB, CBD, and CPD as defined in the zoning regulations of the City
of West Haven, and all uses associated therewith permitted either
as a right or as a special use. "Commercial" shall also include SPD
and RCPD design zones.
Any site preparation, assembly, erection, substantial repair,
alteration or similar action, but excluding demolition, for or of
public or private rights-of-way, structures, utilities or similar
property.
Any equipment or device operated by fuel or electric power
or air or hydraulic pressure, used in construction or demolition work.
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time.
A logarithmic unit of measure used in measuring magnitudes
of sound. The symbol is dB. SPL (sound-pressure level) is defined
as:
|
SPL = 20 log
|
P in dB
Po
| |
|
Where Po = 0.0002 microbars
| ||
Any dismantling, intentional destruction or removal of structures,
utilities, public or private right-of-way surfaces or similar property.
The Director of Health of the City of West Haven.
Power saws, drills, grinders, lawn and garden tools and other
domestic power equipment intended for use in residential areas by
a homeowner.
Any occurrence or set of circumstances involving actual or
imminent physical trauma or property damage which demands immediate
action.
Any motor vehicle authorized by the City of West Haven to
have soundwarning devices, such as sirens and bells, which can lawfully
be used when responding to an emergency.
Work made necessary to restore property to a safe condition
following an emergency, or work required to protect persons or property
from exposure to imminent danger.
The Health Department of the City of West Haven.
Sound of short duration, usually less than one second, with
an abrupt onset and rapid decay.
All industrial districts as defined by the zoning regulations
of the City of West Haven, including but not limited to LM and HM
Districts.
Defined as per Section 14-1(26) of the Connecticut General
Statutes.
A device for abating sounds such as those produced by escaping
gases.
10:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m. local time.
Any sound, the intensity of which exceeds the standards set forth in § 154-5B of this chapter.
The sound-pressure level in decibels as measured with a sound-level
meter using the Aweighting network. The level so read is designated
dB(A) or dBA.
Any individual, firm, partnership, association, syndicate,
company, trust, corporation, municipality, agency or political or
administrative subdivision of the state or other legal entity of any
kind.
Any building, structure, land or portion thereof, including
all appurtenances, and includes yards, lots, courts, inner yards and
real properties without buildings or improvements, owned or controlled
by a person. The emitter's premises includes contiguous publicly
dedicated street and highway rights-of-way, all road rights-of-way
and waters of the state.
That real or imaginary line along the ground surface and
its vertical extension which separates real property owned or controlled
by any person from contiguous real property owned or controlled by
another person, and separates real property from the public right-of-way.
Any street, avenue, boulevard, highway, sidewalk, alley,
park, waterway, railroad or similar place which is owned or controlled
by a governmental entity.
Any internal-combustion-engine-powered vehicle which is being
used for recreational purposes.
All City-owned property used for recreational or educational
purposes and all residential districts (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, RPD and
RCPD) and any commercial district when used for residential purposes,
as defined in the zoning regulations of the City of West Haven and
all uses permitted therewith either as a right or as a special use.
A transmission of energy through solid, liquid or gaseous
media in the form of vibrations which constitute alterations in pressure
or position of the particles in the medium and which, in air, evoke
physiological sensations, including but not limited to an auditory
response when impinging on the ear.
An instrument used to take sound-level measurements and which
should conform, as a minimum, to the operational specifications of
the American National Standards Institute for Sound Level Meters,
S1.4—1971 (Type S2A).
Twenty times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of
the pressure of a sound to the reference pressure of 20 micronewtons
per square meter (20 by 10 newtons/meter) and which is expressed in
decibels (dB).
For the purpose of determining noise levels as set forth in
this chapter, the following guidelines shall be applicable:
A.
All personnel conducting sound measurements shall be trained in the
current techniques and principles of sound-measuring equipment and
instrumentation.
B.
Instruments used to determine sound-level measurements shall conform
to the sound-level meters as defined by this chapter.
C.
The general steps listed below shall be followed when preparing to
take sound-level measurements:
(1)
The instrument manufacturer's specific instructions for the
preparation and use of the instrument shall be followed.
(2)
The sound-level meter shall be calibrated before and after each set
of measurements.
(3)
When measurements are taken out of doors, a wind screen shall be
placed over the microphone of the sound-level meter as per the manufacturer's
instructions.
(4)
The sound-level meter shall be placed at an angle to the sound source
as specified by the manufacturer's instructions and at least
four feet above the ground. It shall be so placed as not to be interfered
with by individuals conducting the measurements.
(5)
Measurements shall be taken at a point that is located about one
foot beyond the boundary of the emitter's premises within the
receptor's premises. The emitter's premises includes his/her
individual unit of land or ground of contiguous parcels under the
same ownership, as indicated by public land records.
D.
The recommended practices for determining statistical noise levels
shall be those as outlined in the document entitled "Connecticut Noise
Survey Data Form 101."
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to emit or cause to be emitted
any noise beyond the boundaries of his/her premises in excess of the
noise levels established in these regulations.
B.
Noise level standards.
(1)
No person in a residential zone shall emit noise beyond the boundaries
of his/her premises exceeding the levels stated herein and applicable
to adjacent residential, commercial or industrial zones:
|
Emitter's Zone
|
Receptor's Zone Industrial
|
Commercial
|
Residential/Day
|
Residential/Night
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Residential
|
62 dBA
|
55 dBA
|
55 dBA
|
45 dBA
|
(2)
No person in a commercial zone shall emit noise beyond the boundary
of his/her premises exceeding the levels stated herein and applicable
to adjacent residential, commercial or industrial zones:
|
Emitter's Zone
|
Receptor's Zone Industrial
|
Commercial
|
Residential/Day
|
Residential/Night
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Commercial
|
62 dBA
|
62 dBA
|
55 dBA
|
45 dBA
|
(3)
No person in an industrial zone shall emit noise beyond the boundary
of his/her premises exceeding the levels stated herein and applicable
to adjacent residential, commercial or industrial zones:
|
Emitter's Zone
|
Receptor's Zone Industrial
|
Commercial
|
Residential/Day
|
Residential/Night
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Industriall
|
70 dBA
|
66 dBA
|
61 dBA
|
51 dBA
|
(4)
Noise zone classifications shall be based on actual use of any parcel
or trust under single ownership as detailed by the Standard Land Use
Classification Manual of Connecticut (SLUCONN).
C.
High background noise levels and impulse noise.
(1)
In those individual cases where the background noise levels caused
by sources not subject to these regulations exceed the standards contained
herein, a source shall be considered to cause excessive noise if the
noise emitted by such source exceeds the background noise levels by
five decibels, provided that no source subject to the provisions of
this chapter shall emit noise in excess of 80 decibels at any time,
and provided that this section does not decrease the permissible levels
of other sections of this chapter.
(2)
No person shall cause or allow the emission of impulse noise in excess
of 80 decibels peak sound-pressure level during the nighttime to any
residential noise zone.
(3)
No person shall cause or allow the emission of impulse noise in excess
of 100 decibels peak sound-pressure level at any time in any zone.
D.
Exclusions. These levels shall not apply to noise emitted by or related
to:
(1)
Natural phenomena.
(2)
Any bell or chime from any building clock, school or church.
(3)
Any siren, whistle or bell lawfully used by emergency vehicles or
any other alarm systems used in an emergency situation; provided,
however, that intrusion alarms not terminating within 10 minutes when
attached to a vehicle, or 15 minutes when attached to a building or
structure. Repetition of activation of an audible signal due to malfunction,
lack of proper maintenance, or lack of reasonable care shall be considered
excessive noise.
(4)
Warning devices required by Occupational Safety and Health Administration
or other state or federal safety regulations.
(5)
Farming equipment or farming activity.
E.
Exemptions and special conditions. The following shall be exempt
from these regulations, subject to special conditions as may be defined
further:
(1)
Noise generated by construction activities during daytime hours,
it being the express intention of this provision to prohibit the use
of construction equipment and machinery before the hour of 7:00 a.m.
(2)
Noise created as a result of or relating to an emergency.
(3)
Noise generated from engine-powered or motor-driven lawn care or
maintenance equipment shall be exempted between the hours of 7:00
a.m. and 10:00 p.m., provided that noise discharged from exhaust is
adequately muffled to prevent loud and/or explosive noises therefrom.
(4)
Noises generated from snow removal equipment at any time shall be
exempted, provided that such equipment shall be kept in good repair
so as to minimize noise, and noise discharged from exhaust shall be
adequately muffled to prevent loud and/or explosive noises therefrom.
(5)
Noise from demolition activities conducted during daytime hours,
it being the express intention of this provision to prohibit the use
of equipment and machinery used in demolition work before the hour
of 7:00 a.m., provided that when considered emergency work, demolition
shall be exempt at all times from the noise levels set in this regulation.
(6)
Noise created by any aircraft flight operations which are specifically
preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration.
(7)
Noise created by any recreational activities which are permitted
by law and for which a license or permit has been granted by the City,
including but not limited to parades, sporting events, concerts and
firework displays.
(8)
Noise created by blasting other than that conducted in connection
with construction activities, provided that the blasting is conducted
between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., local time, at specified hours previously
announced to the local public, or provided that a permit for such
blasting has been obtained from local authorities.
(9)
Noise created by refuse and solid waste collection, provided that
the activity is conducted during daytime hours.
The following activities are prohibited:
A.
Vehicle horns. No person shall at any time sound any horn or other
audible signal device of a motor vehicle unless it is necessary as
a warning to prevent or avoid a traffic accident.
B.
Emissions from stationary or idling mobile sources. No mobile source
engine shall be allowed to operate for more than three consecutive
minutes when the mobile source is not in motion except as follows:
(1)
When a mobile source is forced to remain motionless because of traffic
conditions or mechanical difficulties over which the operator has
no control;
(2)
When it is necessary to operate heating, cooling or auxiliary equipment
installed on the mobile source when such equipment is necessary to
accomplish the intended use of the mobile source;
(3)
To bring the mobile source to the manufacturer's recommended
operating temperature;
(4)
When the outdoor temperature is below 20° F.
(5)
When the mobile source is being repaired.
C.
Exhaust discharge. No person shall discharge into the ambient air the blowdown of any steam vent or the exhaust of any stationary internal-combustion engine or air compressor equipment unless such discharge is through a muffler as defined by § 154-3 of this chapter or through an apparatus providing equal noise reduction. This section shall also be subject to the prohibitions of § 154-5.
A.
All motor vehicles operated within the limits of the City of West
Haven shall be subject to the noise standards and decibel levels set
forth in the regulations authorized in Sections 14-80a-1a through
14-80a-10a inclusive of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
B.
No sound-amplifying devices on or within motor vehicles shall emit noise in excess of the noise levels as specified in § 154-5.
C.
This section dealing with motor vehicle noise shall be enforced by
the Chief of Police and/or his designated subordinates.
No person shall create or cause to be created any unreasonably loud or disturbing noise due to the operation of a recreational vehicle. A noise shall be deemed to be unreasonably loud and a violation of this chapter when the noise so generated exceeds the noise level standards set forth in § 154-5B.
A.
For the purpose of determining compliance with the provisions of
this chapter, the Director of Health or his designated representative
is hereby authorized to make inspections of all noise sources and
to take measurements and make tests whenever necessary to determine
the quantity and character of noise. In the event that any person
refuses or restricts entry and free access to any part of a premises
or refuses inspection, testing or noise measurement of any activity,
device, facility or process where inspection is sought, the Director
of Health and/or designated representative may seek from the appropriate
court a warrant without interference, restriction or obstruction,
at a reasonable time, for the purpose of inspecting, testing or measuring
noise. Should any inspection or measurement be required to be taken
during hours of the day or night which cause the Health Department
to incur expenses for overtime hours paid to any employee and such
measurement or inspection indicates a violation of this chapter, the
violator shall pay the City of West Haven for such expenses for overtime
hours for said employee or employees in addition to any penalty provided
for herein.
B.
It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to allow or permit
the Director of Health or his designated representative free access
to any premises when the Director of Health or his designated representative
is acting in compliance with a warrant for inspection and order issued
by the appropriate court.
C.
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate the provisions of
any warrant or court order requiring inspection, testing or measurement
of noise sources.
D.
No person shall hinder, obstruct, delay, resist, prevent in any way,
interfere or attempt to interfere with any authorized person while
in the performance of his/her duties under this chapter.
Any person in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter
shall be fined in an amount not to exceed $99. Each day such violation
continues shall constitute a separate violation.
A.
Variances.
(1)
Any person living or doing business in West Haven may apply to the
Director of Health for a variance from one or more of the provisions
of this chapter, which are more stringent than the Connecticut Department
of Environmental Protection regulations for the control of noise,
provided that the applicant supplies all of the following information
to the Director of Health:
(2)
No variance from these regulations shall be issued unless it has
been demonstrated that:
(a)
The proposed activity will not violate any provisions of the
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection regulations.
(b)
The noise levels generated by the proposed activity will not
constitute a danger to the public health.
(c)
Compliance with the regulations constitutes an unreasonable
hardship on the applicant.
(3)
The application for variance shall be reviewed and either approved
or rejected within 15 days of receipt by the Director of Health. The
approval or rejection shall be in writing and shall state the condition(s)
of approval, if any, or the reasons for rejection.
(4)
Failure to rule on the application within the designated time shall
constitute approval of the variance.
(5)
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Director of Health with
respect to any variance may appeal to the Board of Health within a
period of 10 days of the reception of the Health Director's decision.
B.
Regulations. The Director of Health is herewith authorized to make
regulations from time to time, not inconsistent with the State Public
Health Code and/or the regulations of the State Department of Environmental
Protection regarding noise, which shall, upon approval by the Board
of Representatives, become effective therewith.
C.
Contracts. Any written agreement, purchase order or contract whereby
the City of West Haven is committed to an expenditure of funds in
return for work, labor, services, supplies, equipment, materials or
any combination thereof shall not be entered into unless such agreement,
purchase order or instrument contains provisions that any equipment
or activities which are subject to the provisions of this chapter
will be operated, constructed, conducted or manufactured without violating
the provisions of this chapter.
D.
Mediation. In the event that the Director of Health receives a complaint
alleging a violation of this chapter by noise emanating from a construction
or demolition activity, he is expressly authorized to seek to mediate
such dispute within 48 hours, provided that he is satisfied that the
complainant is aggrieved by the alleged violation, that there is reasonable
grounds to believe that there is a violation of this chapter, and
he determines, in view of the particular factual circumstances, that
such mediation may result in a satisfactory resolution of the complaint.
Nothing herein is intended to affect or in any way limit any other
procedures established elsewhere in this chapter, limit any other
powers granted by the Director of Health or require the Director of
Health to invoke the mediation powers herein established.
A.
All provisions of the zoning regulations of the City of West Haven
which are more stringent than those set forth herein shall remain
in force.
B.
If, for any reason, any word, clause, paragraph or section of this
chapter shall be held to make the same unconstitutional, this chapter
shall not thereby be invalidated and the remainder of this chapter
shall continue in effect.
C.
Any provision herein which is in conflict with the CT General Statutes
or the Public Health Code of the State of Connecticut is hereby repealed,
it being understood that said statutes and code shall take precedence
over this chapter.
Notwithstanding anything contained here to the contrary, § 54-5E(1)
and (5) shall be enforced by the Chief of Police and/or his designated
subordinates and/or the Director of Heath and/or his designated subordinates.
