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HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2098 Amending Chapter 54 of the Code re Residential Quiet Hous and NoiseCityofWestUniversityPlaceHarrisCounty,TexasORDINANCE NO.2098ANORDINANCEOFTHECITYCOUNCILOFTHECITYOFWESTUNIVERSITYPLACE,TEXAS;AMENDINGCHAPTER1,GENERALPROVISIONS,SECTION1-3(18),RESIDENTIALQUIETHOURS,ANDCHAPTER54,ARTICLEII, NOISE,OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCESOFTHECITYOFWESTUNIVERSITYPLACE,TEXAS,ANDCONTAININGFINDINGS ANDPROVISIONSRELATING TOTHE SUBJECT.NOW, THEREFORE,BE ITORDAINEDBY THECITY COUNCIL OFTHE CITYOF WESTUNIVERSITYPLACE, TEXAS,THAT:Section1. Chapter1,GeneralProvisions,Section1-3(18),ResidentialQuietHours,of the Code ofOrdinances of theCityof WestUniversityPlace,Texasis amendedbytherepealoftheexistingSection1-3(18),and theadoptionofa newSection1-3(18),toreadasset outinAppendixA,attachedhereto.Chapter54,ArticleII,Noise,of theCode ofOrdinances,of theCityof WestUniversityPlace,Texas is amendedbytherepealoftheexistingArticleII,andtheadoptionofa newArticleII,toreadassetoutinAppendixA,attached hereto.AllotherportionsofChapter1 andChapter54 oftheCodeof Ordinancesnotspecificallyamendedherebyremain in fullforce and effect.Section2. Allordinances andpartsofordinancesinconflictwith this Ordinancearerepealedtotheextentof theconflictonly.Section3. Ifanyword,phrase,clause,sentence,paragraph,sectionorotherpartof thisOrdinanceortheappl'cationthereoftoany personorcircumstance,shalleverbeheldtobeinvalidorunconstitutionalbyanycourtofcompetentjurisdiction,neither theremainder of thisOrdinance,northeapplicationof suchword,phrase,clause,sentence,paragraph,sectionorotherpartof this Ordinancetoanyotherpersonsorcircumstances,shallbeaffectedthereby.Section4. TheCityCouncilofficiallyfinds,determinesanddeclaresthatasufficientwrittennotice of thedate, hour,placeandsubjectof eachmeetingatwhich thisOrdinancewasdiscussed,consideredoracteduponwasgivenin themannerrequiredbytheTexasOpenMeetingsAct,asamended,and thateachsuchmeetinghasbeenopentothepublicasrequiredbylawatalltimesduringsuchdiscussion,considerationandaction.TheCityCouncilratifies,approvesandconfirmssuchnotices and thecontentsandpostingthereof.Section5. Exceptasprovidedbelow,thisOrdinancetakeseffectimmediatelyuponitspassageandadoptiononsecondreading.Section54-41(a)(15)asadoptedhereinshall takeeffectnine(9)monthsafteradoptionof this Ordinance.(00210943.docx) PASSED,APPROVED ANDADOPTED ON FIRSTREADINGonthe13 dayofJuly,2020.PASSED,APPROVEDD DOPTEDON SECONDREADING,ANDSIGNED,onthdayof,2020.‘V1tt:Signed:gtSecretary(Seal)Mayor9'5as°Recommended:CityanagerApprovedastolegalform:City Attorney(00210943.docx) Appendix“A"AmendChapter54,Article ll-Noise in itsentirety by substitutingthefollowingprovisions:ARTICLEII.- NOISESec.54-39.- Unreasonable noiseprohibited.NotwithstandinganythingelseinthisArticle,itisunlawfulforanypersontointentionallyorknowinglymakeorcreateanynoiseofsuchvolume,intensity,ordurationastodisturborannoya reasonablepersonof normalsensitivityinthe usual andexpectedenjoymentortheuseofa dwelling.Indeterminingwhethera violation of thisparagraphoccurs,thefollowingmaybe considered:(1)Thelevel,frequency,ordurationofthenoise;(2)Theproximityof the noisetothedwelling;(3)Thenatureandzoningoftheareawithin whichthe noiseoccurs;and(4)Thetimeofthedayornightthe noiseoccurs.Sec.54-40.- Generalnoiselevel limit.ExceptasprovidedinSection54-41,itisunlawful forany persontomake,assistinmaking,permit,orcontinuemaking,anysoundatanylocationbeyondthepropertylinesof thepropertyonwhich the soundisbeing generatedthat whenmeasured exceeds theapplicable dB(A)level listed below.Thegeneralmaximum limits foranynoise,exceptfornoisesspecificallylistedinSection54-41of thischapter,areasfollows:( 1)Residentialproperty:a. 58dB(A)duringResidentialQuietHours.b. 65dB(A)duringallother times.(2)Nonresidentialproperty:68 dB(A)atall times.(3)A|lsoundlevelmeasurementsshall be madeasprovidedinSection54-44ofthisarticle,unlessasotherwisestipulatedinSection54-41.Sec.54-41.- Enumeration ofspecificnoises.(a.)Thefollowingnoises,amongothers,aredeclaredtobeloud,disturbingnoisesinviolationofthisarticle(thisenumerationisneitherexhaustivenorexclusiveofothernoises):(1)The noiseofanyhornorsignaldeviceonanyautomobile,motorcycle,busorothervehiclewhilenotinmotion,exceptasa dangersignalifanothervehicleisapproachingapparentlyoutofcontrol;thesamenoisemadewhileinmotion,exceptasa danger signalafter,oras,brakesarebeing appliedand decelerationof thevehicleisintended;anyunreasonablyloudorharshsoundcreatedbymeansofanysuchsignaldevice;andthesoundof suchdevicemadeforanyunreasonableperiodoftime.2194ax)303.oc (2)Thesound of:a. Anyvehicularorportableradio,phonograph,discplayer,tapeplayeroranymusical instrument that isplainlyaudible outdoors froma distance of100 feetor more(or50 feetor moreduringResidentialQuietHours);orb. Any loudspeakeroramplifieroperatedoutdoorsduringResidentialQuietHours that isplainlyaudible froma distanceof 50feetor more."P|ain|yaudible"meansanysound thatcanbedetectedbya personusinghisorher unaidedhearingfaculties.Example:If thesoundsource underinvestigationisa portableorpersonalvehicularsoundamplificationor reproductiondevice,theenforcement officer neednotdetermine the title ofa song,specificwords,ortheartistperformingthesong.Thedetection of therhythmicbasecomponentof themusic issufficienttoconstitutea plainlyaudible sound.(3)Thesoundofanyautomobile,motorcycleorothervehiclesooutofrepair,soloadedoroperatedin suchmannerthat itcreatesloudnoises suchasspinningorsquealingtires,grating, grinding,rattlingorother noiseexceeding85 decibels.(4)The sound ofanymechanicalequipmentinstalledata fixedlocation(Examples:fans,compressors,condensers,pumps,generators,etc.),if:a. When theequipmentisoperating,noise fromtheequipmentisdiscernableata pointoutside the boundaries ofthesitewhereit isinstalled,and noiseatthatpointismeasuredata level of70dB(A)orhigher;andb. Immediatelybeforeorafteroperationoftheequipment,noiseatthesamepointis measuredata level of65dB(A)orlower.(5)Thesoundofa dischargeintotheopenairoftheexhaustofanyinternalcombustionmotororengine,exceptthrougha mufflerorother device which willeffectivelypreventloudor explosivenoises therefrom.(6)Thesoundofanymechanicaldeviceoperatedbycompressedair,exceptpneumaticdrills,unlessthenoisetherebycreatediseffectivelymuffledandreduced.(7)Thesoundproducedbytheerection, excavation, construction,ordemolitionofanybuildingorstructure,includingtheuseofanynecessarytoolsorequipment,ifproduced:a. DuringResidentialQuietHours,unlessthedB(A)limitationinSec54-40(1)(a)issatisfied,orthenext sentenceisapplicable.If the sound isproducedduringResidentialQuietHoursata timeauthorizedinwriting bythebuildingofficial,a decibellimitof 85dB(A)shallapplyduringthetimeperiodauthorizedbytheBuildingOfficial.b. OutsideResidentialQuietHoursifthesoundexceeds85 dB(A)whenmeasured from thepropertyline of the residentialpropertywherethesoundisbeingreceived.Thisdecibellimitisnotapplicablewhena current,validpermithasbeenobtainedfor theactivitiesnamedand thesoundsarebeingproducedoutsideof ResidentialQuietHours.(8)Anyexcessivenoisemadeonanystreetadjacenttoanyschool,institutionof(00210943.docx )4 learningorcourt whilethesameisinsession,oradjacenttoanyhospitalatanytime,whichnoiseunreasonablyinterfereswith theworkingofanysuchinstitution,provided conspicuoussignsaredisplayedinsuchstreetindicatingthat thesameisa school,hospitalorcourt street.(9)Anyloudandexcessivenoiseresultingfromtheloadingorunloadingofanyvehicleorcontainer,ortheopeningordestructionofbales,boxes,cratesorcontainers.(10)The soundofanybell,gong,whistle,siren,orotheralarmorsignalingdeviceinstalledata fixed locationwhichisreasonablycalculatedtodisturba personofordinary dispositionifsuchpersonwerein thevicinitythereof.Exceptions:Thisdoesnotapplyto:a. Anemergencyalarmoperatedbythefiredepartmentorothergovernmentalagency;b. Analarmsystempermittedandoperatedincompliancewithapplicableregulations,includingautomaticshutoffrules,see,e.g.chapter26;orc. Anygong,bellorchime used ina religiousobservanceorprayer.(11)Thesound ofanydrum,loudspeakerorother instrumentordevice usedto attractattentiontoanyperformance,showorsale of merchandise.(12)Thesoundmadeby loudspeakersoramplifiersontrucksorother vehicles.(13)Thesoundmadebyleafblowers,lawnmowersandotherlawnandgardenmaintenanceequipmentwhenoperatedduringResidentialQuiet Hours.(14)Thesound madebylawnmowersorother lawnandgardenequipment excludingleafblowersoperatedoutsideResidentialQuietHoursthatexceeds85 dB(A)measuredat 25feet from suchequipment.(15)Thesound madebyanyleaf bloweroperatedoutside ResidentialQuiet Hoursthatexceeds70 dB(A)froma distanceof50 feetutilizingtheAmericanNationalStandard InstituteMethodology(ANSI B175.2).Anyleafblower thatbearsthatcertification shall bedeemedtocomplywithanynoise levellimit of thissubsectionprovideditoperatesasthemanufacturerdesigned. Anyoperatorofa leaf blowerwithoutthiscertificationshallprovideverificationfromthemanufacturerconfirmingcompliancewith thissubsection,and forthepurposeofclarity,the lackof suchcertificationshallbea violation ofthissubsection.(b.)IntheeventofanyconflictbetweenthissectionandSection54-40,theprovisionsof thissectionshallcontrol.Sec.54-42.- Affirmativedefenses.(a) Requesttocease.It shallbeanaffirmativedefenseinanyprosecutionunder thisarticle thata requesttoceasecausingthe noiseinquestionwasgivenneithertothepersonchargednor toanyofficer,agent,employeeorrepresentativeof thepersoncharged.Allpeaceofficersandothercityenforcementpersonnelare herebyauthorizedtorequestthatpersonsceasecausingnoisesthatareapparentlyinviolation ofthisarticle.Nothinghereinlimits therightof otherstomakesuchrequests.(00210943.docx )5 (b)Urgent publicprojects.Itshallbeanaffirmativedefense,inanyprosecutionunderthis article that theoffendingnoisewasdeemedanecessaryrepairbythePublicWorksDirectorforapublicneed._(c)Measured noise levels. It shallbeanaffirmativedefense,inanyprosecutionunderthisarticle,thatameasurednoiselevelwasactuallyproducedbysomepersonorthingother than thatallegedtohavecaused thenoise.(d)Registeredoutdoorevents.Itshall beanaffirmativedefense,inanyprosecutionunderthisarticle,that theoffendingnoiseresulted fromanoutdoorconcertorsimilareventthat:(1)Wasregisteredatleast 48 hours inadvance with the chief ofpolice;(2)Didnotlastmorethan fourhours,of whichno morethantwohourswereduringResidentialQuietHours;and(3)Wasothewviseconductedtoavoiddisturbanceofpersonswithinnearbydwellings.(e)Speechorexpression.TheaffirmativedefensesforspeechorexpressionenumeratedinV.T.C.A.,PenalCode§42.04(priorordertomove,disperseorremedy)shall also be available inanyprosecutionsfor violationsofthis article.Sec.54-43.-Injunctionasadditionalremedy.Asanadditionalremedy,the noisemadebyanyactivity,device,instrument,vehicleormachineryinviolationofanyprovisionhereofandwhichcausesdiscomfortorannoyancetoreasonablepersonsof normalsensitivity,orwhichendangersthecomfort,repose,healthorpeaceofresidentsinthearea,shall bedeemed,andis declaredtobe,inviolationof thisarticleandmaybesubjecttoabatementbyarestrainingorderorinjunctionissuedbyacourtofcompetentjurisdiction.Sec.54-44.-Sound levelmeasurements.Sound levelmeasurementsunder this article shallbe madeinaccordance with thefollowingcriteria:(1)Measurementsmustbemade withatype1ortype2calibratedsoundlevelmetersusingtheA-weightingscale andtheslowmeterresponseasspecifiedbythe AmericanNational StandardsInstitute(ANSI$1.4-1984/85A).(2)NoiselevelsshallbemeasuredindecibelsandA-weighted.Theunitofmeasurementshall bedesignateda"dB(A)."(3)Metersshallbe calibratedannuallyin accordancewith ANSI$1.401984.(4)Measurementsrecordedshallbe takensoastoprovideaproperrepresentationofthesoundbeingmeasured.(5)Themicrophoneof themetershall bepositionedso asnot to createanyunnaturalenhancementordiminutionofthemeasuredsound.Awindscreenforthemicrophoneshallbeused.(6)At thepropertyline of thebuildingsite wherethenoiseisbeinggenerated,unlessasothenivisestipulatedinSection54-41.(00210943.docx )6 Before7:00a.m.orafter87:00p.m.Before8200a.m.orafter8§:00p.m.indeendencey,andanCitHolidaonwhich thereisnocurbsidenoonoraftertrashcollection3q)qJX8§:00p.m.Anyweekday (Monday throughFriday,excepttheholidaysmentionedbelow):AmendChapter1,GeneralProvisions,Section1-3(18)asfollows:(18)Residentialquiethoursmeansthosehours whenmanypeoplearesleepingorengagedinquietactivitiesathome.Theyareherebydesignatedasfollows:AnySaturday(excepttheholidaysmentionedbelow):(00210943.docx)