Source: https://ecode360.com/28592858
Timestamp: 2018-02-20 02:01:22
Document Index: 700120638

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344', '§ 344']

Township of Mine Hill, NJ Noise
Ch 344 Art I Noise Control
§ 344-2 Applicability.
§ 344-3 Exemptions.
§ 344-4 Enforcement officers.
§ 344-5 Measurement protocols.
§ 344-6 Maximum permissible sound levels.
§ 344-7 Sound-production devices.
§ 344-8 Restricted uses and activities.
§ 344-9 Motor vehicles.
§ 344-10 Enforcement; violations and penalties.
Ch 344 Art II Engine Brakes
§ 344-11 Definitions.
§ 344-12 Engine braking prohibited.
§ 344-13 Exemptions.
§ 344-14 Posting of signs.
§ 344-15 Violations and penalties.
Alarm systems — See Ch. 132.
Chapter 344 : Noise
Article I Noise Control
Article II Engine Brakes
Article I: Noise Control
[Adopted 11-19-1998 by Ord. No. 640-98; amended in its entirety 6-4-2015 by Ord. No. 18-15]
The following words and terms, when used in this article, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms not defined in this article have the same meanings as those defined in N.J.A.C. 7:29.
The sound level as measured using the "C" weighting network with a sound-level meter meeting the standards set forth in ANSI S1.4-1983 or its successors. The unit of reporting is dB(C). The "C" weighting network is more sensitive to low frequencies than is the "A" weighting network.
Any work or action necessary at the site of an emergency to restore or deliver essential services, including, but not limited to, repairing water, gas, electricity, telephone, sewer facilities, or public transportation facilities, removing fallen trees on public rights-of-way, dredging navigational waterways, or abating life-threatening conditions or a state of emergency declared by a governing agency.
Either a single-pressure peak or a single burst (multiple-pressure peaks) that has a duration of less than one second.
Any building comprising two or more dwelling units, including but not limited to apartments, condominiums, co-ops, multiple-family houses, townhouses, and attached residences.
An employee of a municipality, county or regional health commission that has a Department-approved model noise control ordinance and the employee has not received noise enforcement training as specified by the Department in N.J.A.C. 7:29. However, they are knowledgeable about their model noise ordinance and enforcement procedures. A Noise Control Investigator may only enforce sections of the ordinance that do not require the use of a sound-level meter. The employee must be acting within his or her designated jurisdiction and must be authorized to issue a summons.
Any sound that can be detected by a NCO or an NCI using his or her unaided hearing faculties of normal acuity. As an example, if the sound source under investigation is a portable or vehicular sound-amplification or reproduction device, the detection of the rhythmic bass component of the music is sufficient to verify plainly audible sound. The NCO or NCI need not determine the title, specific words, or the artist performing the song.
Either a) the vertical boundary that separates one parcel of property (i.e., lot and block) from another residential or commercial property; b) the vertical and horizontal boundaries of a dwelling unit that is part of a multi-dwelling-unit building; or c) on a multi-use property as defined herein, the vertical or horizontal boundaries between the two portions of the property on which different categories of activity are being performed (e.g., if the multi-use property is a building which is residential upstairs and commercial downstairs, then the real property line would be the interface between the residential area and the commercial area, or if there is an outdoor sound source such as an HVAC unit on the same parcel of property, the boundary line is the exterior wall of the receiving unit). Note: This definition shall not apply to a commercial source and a commercial receptor which are both located on the same parcel of property (e.g., a strip mall).
SOUND-REDUCTION DEVICE
Any device, such as a muffler, baffle, shroud, jacket, enclosure, isolator, or dampener, provided by the manufacturer with the equipment, or that is otherwise required, that mitigates the sound emissions of the equipment.
This article applies to sound from the following property categories:
This article applies to sound received at the following property categories:
Except as provided in §§ 344-8 and 344-9 below, the provisions of this article shall not apply to the exceptions listed at N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.5.
Sound-production devices required or sanctioned under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), FEMA or other government agencies to the extent that they comply with the noise requirement of the enabling legislation or regulation. Devices which are exempted under N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.5 shall continue to be exempted.
Construction and demolition activities are exempt from the sound-level limits set forth in Tables I and II and III, except as provided for in § 344-8 below.
Noise Control Officers shall have the authority within their designated jurisdiction to investigate suspected violations of any section of this article and pursue enforcement activities.
Noise Control Investigators shall have the authority within their designated jurisdiction to investigate suspected violations of any section of this article that do not require the use of a sound-level meter (i.e., plainly audible, times of day and/or distance determinations) and pursue enforcement activities.
Sound measurements made by a Noise Control Officer shall conform to the procedures set forth at N.J.A.C. 7:29-2, except that interior sound-level measurements shall also conform with the procedures set forth in Subsection B of this section and with the definition of "real property line" as contained herein.
When conducting indoor sound-level measurements across a real property line, the measurements shall be taken at least three feet from any wall, floor or ceiling, and all exterior doors and windows may, at the discretion of the investigator, be closed. The neighborhood residual sound level shall be measured in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:29-2.9(b)2. When measuring total sound level, the configuration of the windows and doors shall be the same, and all sound sources within the dwelling unit must be shut off (e.g., television, stereo). Measurements shall not be taken in areas which receive only casual use such as hallways, closets and bathrooms.
No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation of any source of sound on any source property listed in § 344-2A above in such a manner as to create a sound level that equals or exceeds the sound-level limits set forth in Table I, II or III when measured at or within the real property line of any of the receiving properties listed in Table I, II or III, except as specified in § 344-3B.
Maximum A-weighted sound-level standard, dB
Maximum Permissible A-Weighted Sound Levels When Measured Indoors
NOTES: Table II shall only apply when the source and the receptor are separated by a real property line and they also share a common or abutting wall, floor or ceiling, or are on the same parcel of property.
Maximum Permissible Octave Band Sound-Pressure Levels in Decibels
NOTES: When octave measurements are made, the sound from the source must be constant in level and character. If octave band sound-pressure level variations exceed plus or minus two dB in the bands containing the principal source frequencies, discontinue the measurement.
No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation of any sound-production device in such a manner that the sound crosses a property line and raises the total sound levels above the neighborhood residual sound level by more than the permissible sound-level limits set forth in Table IV when measured within the residence of a complainant according to the measurement protocol in § 344-5B of this article. These sound-level measurements shall be conducted with the sound-level meter set for "C" weighting, "fast" response.
Maximum Permissible Increase in Total Sound Levels Within a Residential Property
Weeknights, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; Weekend Nights, 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Excluding emergency work, power tools, home maintenance tools, landscaping and/or yard maintenance equipment used by a residential property owner or tenant shall not be operated between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., unless such activities can meet the applicable limits set forth in Table I, II or III. At all other times, the limits set forth in Table I, II or III do not apply. All motorized equipment used in these activities shall be operated with a muffler and/or sound-reduction device.
Excluding emergency work, power tools, landscaping and/or yard maintenance equipment used by nonresidential operators (e.g., commercial operators, public employees) shall not be operated on a residential, commercial, industrial or public (e.g., golf courses, parks, athletic fields) property between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on weekdays, or between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends or federal holidays, unless such activities can meet the limits set forth in Table I, II or III. At all other times, the limits set forth in Table I, II or III do not apply. All motorized equipment used in these activities shall be operated with a muffler and/or sound-reduction device.
All construction and demolition activity, excluding emergency work, shall not be performed between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, or between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends and federal holidays, unless such activities can meet the limits set forth in Table I, II or III. At all other times, the limits set forth in Table I, II or III do not apply. All motorized equipment used in construction and demolition activity shall be operated with a muffler and/or sound-reduction device.
Motorized snow removal equipment shall be operated with a muffler and/or a sound-reduction device when being used for snow removal. At all other times, the limits set forth in Tables I, II or III do not apply.
All interior and exterior burglar alarms of a building or motor vehicle must be activated in such a manner that the burglar alarm terminates its operation within five minutes for continuous airborne sound and 15 minutes for intermittent sound after it has been activated. At all other times, the limits set forth in Table I, II or III do not apply.
Self-contained, portable, nonvehicular music or sound-production devices shall not be operated on a public space or public right-of-way in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet in any direction from the operator between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., sound, operated on a public space or public right-of-way, from such equipment shall not be plainly audible at a distance of 25 feet in any direction from the operator.
Noise by dogs or other animals.
Violations of each subsection of this section shall be considered purposeful and therefore nonminor violations.
No person shall remove or render inoperative, or cause to be removed or rendered inoperative or less effective than originally equipped, other than for the purposes of maintenance, repair, or replacement, any device or element of design incorporated in any motor vehicle for the purpose of noise control. No person shall operate a motor vehicle or motorcycle which has been so modified. A vehicle not meeting these requirements shall be deemed in violation of this provision if it is operated stationary or in motion in any public space or public right-of-way.
Violation of any provision of this article shall be cause for a notice of violation (NOV) or a notice of penalty assessment (NOPA) document to be issued to the violator by the Noise Control Officer or Noise Control Investigator.
Any person who violates any provision of this article shall be subject to a civil penalty for each offense of not more than the maximum penalty pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:49-5, which is $2,000 as of December 2014. If the violation is of a continuing nature, each day during which it occurs shall constitute an additional, separate, and distinct offense.
Upon identification of a violation of this article, the Noise Control Officer or Noise Control Investigator shall issue an enforcement document to the violator. The enforcement document shall identify the condition or activity that constitutes the violation and the specific provision of this article that has been violated. It shall also indicate whether the violator has a period of time to correct the violation before a penalty is sought.
If the violation is deemed by the Noise Control Officer or Noise Control Investigator to be a minor violation (as defined in § 344-1 of this article) a NOV shall be issued to the violator.
The NOV shall identify the time period (up to 90 days), pursuant to the Grace Period Law, N.J.S.A. 13:1D-125 et seq., where the responsible party's/violator's voluntary action can prevent a formal enforcement action with penalties issued by the Health Department. It shall be noted that the NOV does not constitute a formal enforcement action, a final agency action or a final legal determination that a violation has occurred. Therefore, the NOV may not be appealed or contested.
If the violation is deemed by the Noise Control Officer or Noise Control Investigator to be a nonminor violation, the violator shall be notified that if the violation is not immediately corrected, a NOPA with a civil penalty of not more than the maximum penalty allowed pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:49-5, which is $2,000 as of December 2014, will be issued. If a nonminor violation is immediately corrected, a NOV without a civil penalty shall still be issued to document the violation. If the violation occurs again (within 12 months of the initial violation), a NOPA shall be issued regardless of whether the violation is immediately corrected or not.
The violator may request from the Noise Control Officer or Noise Control Investigator an extension of the compliance deadline in the enforcement action. The Noise Control Officer or Noise Control Investigator shall have the option to approve any reasonable request for an extension (not to exceed 180 days) if the violator can demonstrate that a good faith effort has been made to achieve compliance. If an extension is not granted and the violation continues to exist after the grace period ends, a NOPA shall be issued.
Article II: Engine Brakes
[Adopted 10-6-2005 by Ord. No. 7-05]
The use or operation of any mechanical exhaust device designed to aid in the braking, decompression or deceleration of any motor vehicle which results in excessive, loud, unusual or explosive noise from such vehicle.
It shall be unlawful for the driver of any motor vehicle to use or operate, or cause to be used or operated, at any time and on any street within the Township of Mine Hill, any mechanical exhaust or decompression device which results in the practice known as "engine braking."
Noise caused by the application of engine braking which is effectively muffled, or if the application is necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the community, or noise created by emergency equipment for emergency purposes, are exempt from the provisions of this article. Vehicles operating on State Highway Route 46 are exempt from the provisions of this article.
The Township is hereby authorized to post signs at reasonable locations within the Township indicating the prohibition of engine braking.
Upon a conviction of any violation of this article, such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,250 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.