[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of
Webster 6-9-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
Excessive
sound and noises is a serious hazard to the public health, welfare
and safety and the quality of life. It is a finding of the Village
Board that unnecessary noise degrades the environment of the Village
to a degree which is harmful and detrimental to the health, safety
and welfare of its inhabitants; interferes with the comfortable enjoyment
of life, property and recreation and with the conduct of business
and industry; and causes nuisances. A substantial body of science
and technology exists by which excessive sound and noise may be substantially
abated. Persons in the Village of Webster have a right to and should
be ensured of an environment free from excessive sound and noise.
B.
It
is the policy of the Village of Webster to prevent excessive sound
and noise that may jeopardize the health, welfare or safety of persons
in the Village of Webster or degrade the quality of life in the Village.
Further, the provisions hereinafter set forth are in pursuance of
and for the purpose of preserving, protecting and promoting the public
health, safety and welfare and peace and reasonable quiet for persons
in the Village of Webster.
C.
This
chapter shall apply to the control of sound or noise originating from
stationary and certain mobile sources within the limits of the Village
of Webster.
A.
All
terminology defined herein which relates to the nature of sound and
the mechanical detection and recordation of sound, where applicable,
shall conform to the terminology of the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) or its successor body.
B.
AIRBORNE SOUND
AIR COMPRESSOR
AIR-CONDITIONING AND AIR-HANDLING DEVICE
AMBIENT NOISE
A-WEIGHTED SOUND LEVEL
CONSTRUCTION
CONSTRUCTION DEVICE
CONSTRUCTION SITE
CONTINUOUS SOUND
dB
dB(A)
DECIBEL
DISCRETE TONE
EMERGENCY OPERATION
(1)
(2)
EXHAUST SYSTEM
FREQUENCY
HOMEOWNERS' LIGHT RESIDENTIAL OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT
Hz
IMPULSIVE SOUND
L10
L90
MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT
MUFFLER
NOISE-SENSITIVE ZONE
PAVING BREAKER
PERSON
PUBLIC HIGHWAY
RECREATIONAL MOTOR VEHICLE
REFUSE-COLLECTING VEHICLE
SOUND
SOUND LEVEL
SOUND-LEVEL METER
SOUND-REPRODUCTION DEVICE
SOUND SOURCE
SOUND TRUCK
As
used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Sound that reaches the point of interest by propagation through
the air. Approved sound-measuring equipment shall meet ANSI SI.4 1971
standards and is described under the definition of "dB(A)" below.
A device which draws in air or gas, compresses it and delivers
it at a higher pressure.
Any device that is designed to be used or is actually used
to cool, move or condition air, including but not limited to air conditioners,
cooling towers, fans and blowers.
The all-encompassing noise associated with a given environment,
being usually composites of sounds from many sources, near and far.
The sound-pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound-level
meter using the A-weighing network. The level so read is designated
"dB(A)."
Any activity necessary or incidental to the erection, demolition,
assembling, altering, installing or equipping of buildings, public
or private highways, roads, premises, parks, utility lines or other
property, including but not limited to related activities such as
land clearing, grading, earthmoving, excavating, blasting, filling
and landscaping.
Any powered device or equipment designed and intended for
use in construction. Examples of "construction devices" are air compressors,
bulldozers, backhoes, trucks, shovels, derricks and cranes.
Any location, including land and water, where construction
takes place.
Any sound that is not an impulse sound.
The abbreviation of "decibel."
The A-weighted sound level in decibels, as measured by a
general purpose sound meter complying with the provision of the American
National Standards Institute specifications for sound-level meters,
properly calibrated and operated on the A-weighing network.
The unit for measuring the volume of a sound, based upon
the pressure level of a sound. For the purpose of this chapter, the
standard reference pressure stated herein will be used to assure a
consistent and standard reference for measuring sound. The sound-pressure
level measured in "decibels" is equal to 20 times the logarithm to
the base 10 of the ration of the effective pressure of the sound measured.
A sound wave whose instantaneous sound pressure varies essentially
as a simple sinusoidal function of time.
The operation or parking of an authorized emergency vehicle
when such vehicle is engaged in transporting a sick or injured person,
responding to or working or assisting at the scene of an accident,
disaster, public call, alarm or fire or any other emergency.
The work or activity that is necessary to prevent or recover
from an emergency, including but not limited to work to repair electric,
gas, water, sewerage and/or telephone services.
A system which removes and transports air or gas from a device.
A function period in time which is the reciprocal of the
period and which is measured by the number of oscillations or cycles
per second, expressed in hertz (Hz).
All engine- or-motor-powered garden or maintenance tools
intended for repetitive use in residential areas, capable of being
used by a homeowner. Examples are lawn mowers, garden tools, riding
tractors, snowblowers, power shovels and snowplows.
The abbreviation for "hertz," and is equivalent to cycles
per second.
A sound of short duration, usually less than one second,
and of high intensity, with an abrupt onset and rapid delay. Examples
include an explosion or discharge of a firearm.
The A-weighted sound level measured with slow response that
is exceeded 10% of the time in any one-hour interval. The measurement
time interval need not be one hour, provided that the measurement
results are representative of a one-hour interval.
The A-weighted sound level measured with slow response that
is exceeded 90% of the time in any one-hour interval. The measurement
time interval need not be one hour, provided that the measurement
results are representative on a one-hour interval.
The weight of the vehicle unladen, plus the weight of the
maximum load to be carried by such vehicle during the registration
period or the maximum gross weight for which the vehicle is registered,
whichever is greater.
A device for abating the sound of escaping gases of an internal
combustion engine or other sound source.
An area adjacent to a site, including but not limited to
any authorized school, church, house of worship, senior citizen center,
day-care center, hospital or nursing home, which requires specific
noise limitations.
Any powered construction device that is designed to be used
or is actually used to cut or trench pavement subbase, macadam, gravel,
concrete or hard ground.
Includes the singular and plural and also any natural person,
firm, corporation, political subdivision, government agency, association,
club, partnership, society or any other form of association or organization
or any legal entity whatsoever.
Any highway, road street, avenue, public place, public driveway
or other public way.
Any vehicle which is propelled by any power other than muscular
power that is designed for or capable of cross-country travel, such
as a snowmobile, motorcycle, trail bike or minibike. A "recreational
vehicle" is also classed as a motor vehicle when such recreational
vehicle is operated or driven upon a public highway. Lawn mowers,
powered garden vehicles and other similar utilitarian domestic vehicles
are specifically excepted therefrom.
Any motor vehicle designed to compact and transport refuse.
An oscillation in pressure, stress, particle displacement
or other physical parameter in a medium with internal forces (American
National Standards Institute terminology).
The weighted pressure level, measured by the use of a metering
characteristic and the weighing A, B and C (American National Standards
Institute terminology). For purposes of enforcing and interpreting
the provisions of this chapter, unless a different frequency weighing
is indicated, the A-weighing slow response shall apply.
An instrument, including a microphone, an amplifier, an output
meter and frequency-weighing networks, for the measurement of sound
levels (American National Standards Institute terminology).
Any device that is designed to be used or is actually used
for the production or reproduction of sound, including but not limited
to any musical instrument, radio, television, tape recorder, phonograph
or any other sound-amplifying equipment.
Any activity or device that produces sound.
Any vehicle having mounted hereon or attached thereto sound-amplifying
equipment.
Any act in violation of any of the other provisions of this chapter is also deemed to be in violation of § 85-4 of this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prohibit the prosecution and conviction of a person on two or more charges which may constitute violations of different sections of this chapter arising out of a single act, occasion or set of circumstances. However, no more than a single penalty may be imposed for each separate and distinct offense.
No person shall make, continue or cause or permit to be made,
verbally or mechanically, any unreasonable noise. An "unreasonable
noise" shall mean any excessive or unusually loud sound or any sound
which creates inconvenience, annoyance, alarm or disturbance and which
is publicly offensive or recklessly creates a risk of the foregoing.
Standards to be considered in determining whether unreasonable noise
exists in a particular situation include the following:
A.
The
volume of the noise.
B.
The
intensity of the noise.
C.
Whether
the nature of the noise is usual or unusual in the context of ordinary
human experience.
D.
Whether
the origin of the noise is natural or unnatural in the context of
ordinary human experience.
E.
The
volume and intensity of the background noise, if any.
F.
The
proximity of the noise to residential sleeping facilities.
G.
The
nature of the zoning district of the area from within which the noise
emanates.
H.
The
time of day or night the noise occurs.
I.
The
time duration of the noise.
J.
Whether
the sound source is temporary.
K.
Whether
the noise is continuous or impulsive.
L.
The
presence of discrete tones.
The following acts and the causing thereof are declared to be
in violation of this chapter:
A.
Sound-reproducing
devices.
(1)
No person shall operate, use or cause or permit to be operated a
sound reproduction device that produces unreasonable noise.
(2)
No person shall operate or cause or permit to be operated any sound-reproduction
device for commercial or business advertising purposes or for the
purpose of attracting attention to any performance, show or sale or
display of merchandise in connection with any commercial operation,
including but not limited to the sale of radios, televisions, phonographs,
tape recorders, phonograph records, tapes or compact discs, in front
or outside of any building, place or premises, or in or through any
aperture of such building, place or premises, abutting on or adjacent
to a public street, park or place or in or upon any vehicle operated,
standing or being in or on any public street, park or place where
the sound therefrom may be heard upon any public street, park or place
or from any airplane or other device used for flying over the Village
of Webster or anywhere on public streets, parks or places.
(3)
No person shall operate, use or cause or permit to be operated or
used any sound-reproduction device in any public place on such a manner
that the sound emanating therefrom creates unreasonable noise across
a real property boundary, subject to the following exceptions:
(a)
Bell, chimes or carillons. Nothing herein contained shall preclude
or prohibit the use of loudspeakers or other sound amplifying devices
to broadcast the sound of bells, chimes or carillons or replicas thereof
by a church or other house of worship.
(b)
Seasonal music. Nothing herein contained shall preclude or prohibit
the reasonable use of loudspeakers in nonresidential-zoned districts
of the Village solely to broadcast seasonal music from December 1
through January 1 of the following year, between the hours of 9:00
a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
(c)
Band concerts performed in the Village bandstand.
B.
Sound-signal
devices. No person shall operate or cause to be operated any sound-signal
device, including but not limited to any Klaxon, horn, whistle, bell,
gong, drum or siren, so as to create unreasonable noise, except when
and where authorized by New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
D.
No
person shall operate or cause to be operated any audible burglar alarm
or any motor vehicle burglar alarm unless such alarm shall be capable
of automatically terminating operation within 15 minutes after such
alarm is first activated.
E.
Shouting.
No persons shall shout, yell, call, hoot, whistle or sing on public
streets or in public places in such a manner as to create unreasonable
noise.
F.
Containers
and construction material. No person shall load, unload, handle, transport,
open, close or destroy any containers or construction material in
such a manner as to create unreasonable noise.
G.
Squealing
tires. No person shall operate a vehicle in such a manner as to cause
unreasonable noise by spinning or squealing the tires of such vehicle.
H.
Exhausts.
No person shall cause or permit the discharge onto the open air of
exhaust of any device, including but not limited to any steam engine,
diesel engine, internal-combustion engine or turbine engine, so as
to create unreasonable noise.
I.
Modification
of noise-control devices. No person shall operate, cause or permit
to be operated any device that has been modified so as to cause the
sound emitted to be greater than that emitted by such device as originally
manufactured.
J.
Standing
motor vehicles.
(1)
No person shall operate or cause or permit to be operated any motor
vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) in excess of 10,000
pounds or any auxiliary equipment attached to such vehicle for a period
longer than 20 minutes in any hour while the vehicle is stationary,
for reasons other than traffic congestion, on a public right-of-way
or public space so that the sound therefrom is audible across a residential
real property boundary between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
the following day.
(2)
This subsection shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles
or to public utility vehicles actually engaged in any emergency operations.
K.
Vehicle
or motorboat repairs and testing. No person shall cause or permit
the repairing, rebuilding, modifying or testing of any motor vehicle,
motorcycle or motorboat in such a manner as to cause unreasonable
noise across a residential real property boundary. For purposes of
the enforcement of the subsection, "unreasonable noise" means a sound
level in excess of 65 dB(A)s when measured at the real property line.
No person shall operate or cause or permit to be operated any
recreational vehicle:
A.
On
a private property of another without the express prior written consent
of the owner and the occupant of said property. Such consent may be
revoked at any time by the grantor thereof. Where such express prior
written consent has been obtained, the operator or person at the site
responsible for such operation shall keep said consent on their person
and available for immediate display at all times during the period
of such operation.
B.
On
any public grounds or property, including town, county, state, federal
or school-owned land, which shall include but not be limited to parks,
ballparks and recreation areas.
C.
In
such a manner as to create unreasonable noise so as to unreasonably
disturb or interfere with persons in the peaceful and quiet enjoyment
of their property. To this end, no person shall operate a recreational
motor vehicle before the hour of 9:00 a.m. and after the hour of 7:00
p.m., prevailing time, or sunset, whichever shall first occur.
D.
In
a careless, reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the safety
or property of any person.
Except as provided in Subsection B of this section, no person
shall operate or cause or permit to be operated an air-conditioning
or air-handling device that exceeds the maximum sound-level limitations
provided in this section.
A.
In
areas zoned residential, continuous sound in and from said equipment
which has crossed the real property line of the property where said
equipment or device is located shall not exceed any of the following
sound levels:
B.
The
provisions of this section shall not apply if the sound from the air-conditioner
or air-handling device produces an increase of less than five dB(A)s
in the sound level that exists in the absence of such sound.
No person shall operate or cause or permit to be operated an
air compressor unless a muffler certified by the manufacturer of such
muffler to provide a dynamic insertion loss of not less than 20 dB(A)s
of the sound emitted from the exhaust of such compressor is installed
on such exhaust.
No person shall operate or cause or permit to be operated a place of public assembly, including but not limited to a restaurant, bar or cafe, in which the sound level is equal to or exceeds 95 dB(A)s for more than 30 seconds at the location of business invitees or which does not meet the levels provided for in §§ 85-11 and 85-12 of this chapter.
No person shall operate or cause or permit to be operated in a zoning district, as defined in the Code of the Village of Webster, Chapter 175, Zoning, any device that produces a sound level exceeding the applicable, permissible limits specified in §§ 85-11 and 85-12 of this chapter. The measurement of any sound or noise shall be made with a sound-level meter using an A-scale decibel level. The measurement shall be conducted at the property line on which such noise is generated or perceived, whichever is appropriate in a residential district, or at the boundary line of the receiving property. For purposes of enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, an enforcement official shall have the right to go onto the real property of the person alleged to be in violation for the limited purpose of obtaining accurate sound-level readings without being liable for trespass therefor.
Except as may otherwise be authorized by the provisions of this
chapter:
A.
During the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., no person shall operate
or cause or permit to be operated any device which produces a sound
level across a residential real property boundary or within any residential
zoned district in excess of 65 dB(A)s or an L10 in excess of 50 dB(A)s.
[Amended 3-24-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022]
B.
During the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., no person shall operate,
cause or permit to be operated any device which produces a sound level
across a residential real property boundary or within any residential
zoned district in excess of 55 dB(A)s or an L10 in excess of 50 dB(A)s.
[Amended 3-24-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022]
A.
Except as may otherwise be authorized by the provisions of this chapter, no person shall operate or cause or permit to be operated on a sound source site a commercial, business, marine business or industrial operation that produces a sound level exceeding the limitations as provided in Subsections B through D of this section.
B.
Continuous sound in air which has crossed the property line of such
sound source site and enters property zoned for residential use or
property within a noise-sensitive zone shall not exceed the following
levels:
[Amended 3-24-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022]
C.
Continuous sound in air which has crossed the property line of the
sound source site and enters property which is zoned for business
or manufacturing or property where the public in general congregates
shall not exceed either of the following levels:
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the same persons and in the same manner as provided for in the Code of the Village of Webster, Chapter 175, Zoning.
[Amended 3-24-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022]
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the noise
produced by the following uses:
A.
Agriculture.
B.
The emission of sound for the purpose of alerting persons to the
existence of an emergency and the passage of vehicles for that purpose.
C.
The emission of sound in the performance of an emergency operation.
D.
Public celebrations of municipal corporations.
E.
The emission
of sound in the performance of municipal operations such as snow and
ice removal and street sweeping.
