Source: https://ecode360.com/12509033
Timestamp: 2020-02-21 19:40:53
Document Index: 468685355

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 208', '§ 208', '§ 208', '§ 208', '§ 208', '§ 208', '§ 208', '§ 22', '§ 14', '§ 208', '§ 208', '§ 208', '§ 22']

Town of Guilford, CT Noise
§ 208-4 Sound-measuring procedure.
§ 208-5 Noise levels.
§ 208-6 Refuse collection noise.
§ 208-7 Motor vehicle noise.
§ 208-8 Inspections.
§ 208-9 Enforcement; penalties for offenses.
§ 208-11 Conflicting provisions.
Chapter 208 Noise
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Guilford 6-18-2007, effective 7-29-2007. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Animals — See Ch. 131.
Parks and public places — See Ch. 214.
The title of this chapter shall be the "Town of Guilford Noise Control Ordinance."
The policy of the state under C.G.S. § 22a-67 is to promote an environment free from noise that jeopardizes the health and welfare of the citizens. 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 Guilford through reduction, control and prevention of noise.
The Board of Selectmen of the Town of Guilford or a duly authorized officer.
As defined and set forth in Article II of Chapter 273, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Guilford and all associated uses therewith, either permitted as a right or as a special use.
Any site preparation, assembly, erection, substantial repair, alteration or similar action, for or of public or private rights-of-way, structures, utilities or similar properties, but excluding demolition.
Any equipment or device operated by any fuel or electric power used in construction or demolition work.
The hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and the hours 9:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. on Sundays.
A logarithmic unit of measure in measuring magnitudes or sound; the symbol "dB."
Including but not limited to 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 perceived imminent physical trauma or property damage which demands immediate action.
Any motor vehicle authorized by the State of Connecticut to have sound warning devices, such as sirens and bells, which can lawfully be used when responding to an emergency. (C.G.S. § 14-283).
As defined and set forth in Article II of Chapter 273, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Guilford and all uses associated therewith, either permitted as a right or as a special use.
Per Section 14-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
The hours between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., Sunday evening through Saturday morning, except that "night" shall mean the hours between 10:00 p.m. Saturday and 9:00 a.m. Sunday.
Any sound, the intensity of which exceeds the standards set forth on § 208-5B of this chapter.
The sound pressure level as measured with a sound level meter using the A-weighting network. The level so read is designated "db(A)" or "dBA."
Any building, structure, land or portion thereof, including all appurtenances, and shall include 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.
Those residential districts as defined and set forth in Article II of Chapter 273, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Guilford and all uses associated therewith, either permitted as a right or as a special use.
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 and is expressed in decibels (dB).
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 instruction.
Noise level standards:
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 and industrial zones:
Day 55 dBA
Night 45 dBA
Day 61 dBA
Night 51 dBA
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 (5) dBA, provided that no source subject to the provisions of this chapter shall emit noise in excess of 80 dBA at any time, and provided that this section does not decrease the permissible levels of other sections of this chapter.
Any bell or chime from any building clock, school, or church.
Any siren, whistle or bell lawfully used by emergency vehicles or any other alarm system used in an emergency situation; provided, however, that burglar alarms not terminating within 30 minutes after being activated shall be unlawful.
Exemptions. The following shall be exempt from these regulations, subject to special conditions as spelled out:
Noise generated by any construction equipment which is operated during daytime hours. Noise generated by construction equipment during nighttime hours shall not exceed the maximum noise levels as specified on § 208-5B.
Noise from domestic power equipment such as but not limited to power saws, sanders, grinders, lawn and garden tools or similar devices operated during daytime hours.
Noise from demolition work conducted during daytime hours. When considered emergency work, demolition shall be exempted at all times from the noise levels set in this regulation.
Noise created by any aircraft flight operations which are specifically permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Noise created by any recreational activities which are permitted by law and for which a license or permit has been granted by the Town or State of Connecticut, including but not limited to parades, sporting events, concerts and firework displays.
Noise created by blasting, other than that conducted in connection with construction activities, shall be exempted, 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 is obtained from local authorities.
Noise generated by the police and other established shooting facilities as permitted by Connecticut firearms laws, C.G.S. 22a-74a.
All refuse collectors shall comply with the noise level standards as established in this chapter while engaging in refuse collection at each location. For purposes of this chapter, the term "refuse collectors" shall be synonymous with private haulers and all other persons that commercially engage in the collection and transportation of refuse and other debris.
All motor vehicles operated within the limits of the Town of Guilford shall be subject to the noise standards and decibel levels set forth in the regulations authorized in Section 14-80a of the Connecticut State Statutes.
No sound-amplifying devices on or within motor vehicles shall emit noise in excess of the noise levels as specified in § 208-5B.
For the purpose of determining compliance with the provisions of this chapter, the Board of Selectmen or its 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 Board of Selectmen or its 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.
It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to allow or permit the Board of Selectmen or its designated representative free access to any premises when the Board of Selectmen or its designated representative is acting in compliance with a warrant for inspection and order issued by the appropriate court.
The Chief of Police or his designee is the Town official responsible for enforcement of this chapter.
Unless otherwise provided, any person who violates any provision of this chapter may be fined not more than $99 for each violation. Each day's violation shall be deemed a separate offense.
It shall be the responsibility of the offender to abate the violation as ordered. In the event the offender does not abate the violation, the Town may seek injunctive relief in the Superior Court, including fines, legal fees, and costs.
Any person living or doing business in Guilford may apply to the Town for a variance from one or more of the provisions of the chapter which are more stringent than the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection regulations for the control of noise, provided that the applicant supplied all of the following information to the Board of Selectmen at least 20 days prior to the start of said activity:
Any other information required by the Board of Selectmen.
No variance from those regulations shall be used unless it has been demonstrated that:
The application for variance shall be reviewed and either approved or rejected at least five days prior to the proposed start of said activity. The approval or rejection shall be in writing and shall state the condition of approval, if any, or the reasons for rejection.
Failure to rule on the application in the designated time shall constitute approval of the variance.
See Appendix for sample application for variance.[1]
Editor's Note: The sample application is available in the Town offices.
The Town of Guilford has all the rights contained in Chapter 442, § 22A, of the Connecticut General Statutes, in addition to the regulations contained in this chapter.
All provisions of the Zoning Code[1] of the Town of Guilford, which are more stringent than those set forth herein, shall remain in force. 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 hereby be invalidated and the remainder of this chapter shall continue in effect. Any provision herein which is in conflict with the Connecticut 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.
Editor's Note: See Ch. 273, Zoning.