§ 66-136. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
A-weighted sound pressure level means the sound pressure level as measured on an ANSI-SI.4-1971 Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meter using the A-weighted network. It is the approximate noise level as heard by the human ear, measured in decibels, and denoted as dBA.
Ambient noise level means the sound pressure level of the all encompassing noise associated with a given environment, being usually a composite of sounds from many sources and excluding the specific noise under investigation; also the A-weighted, sound pressure level exceeded 90 percent of the time (L 90 ).
Business and commercial district includes the following districts from the comprehensive zoning ordinance (Article 5, Sections 8 through 13 and Sections 22 and 27): RO, general office district; B1 and B2, neighborhood business district, SC, shopping center district, C1 and C2, general commercial district, and CBD1 through CBD8, central business district.
Commercial enterprise means any entrepreneurial operation in an enclosed building, at a premises in a fixed location, in which goods (including but not limited to food and/or beverages) and/or services are sold and/or provided.
Construction means any site preparation, assembly, erection, substantial repairs, alterations, or similar action, for or of public or private rights-of-way, structures, utilities, or similar property.
Daytime hours means 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. on weekdays, 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. weekends, unless otherwise stated in this article.
Decibel means logarithmic unit of measure used in describing the relative intensity of sound; denoted as dB.
Demolition means any dismantlings, intentional destruction or removal of structures, utilities, public or private rights-of-way surfaces, or similar property.
Domestic power tools means power tools used for the purpose of completing hobby projects, home improvements projects, and any other projects which are not used or sold for profit.
Emergency means any occurrence or set of circumstances involving actual or eminent physical trauma or property damage which demands immediate action.
Emergency vehicles means authorized publicly or privately owned ambulances, or motor vehicles belonging to a fire or police department, or to any federal, state, parish or municipal agency provided such vehicles are in use as emergency vehicles by one authorized to use such vehicles for that purpose.
Industrial area includes the following districts from the comprehensive zoning ordinance (Article 5, Sections 14 through 16): SI-special industrial district, LI-light industrial district, HI-heavy industrial district and BIP-business-industrial park district.
l 10 means the A-weighted sound pressure level which is exceeded ten percent of the time period during which the measurement is made.
l 90 means the A-weighted sound pressure level which is exceeded 90 percent of the time period during which the measurement is made.
l max means the maximum A-weighted sound level allowed.
Land use category means the classification of an area, usually by zoning districts, such as residential, industrial, commercial or public space, according to its use. Any area not otherwise classified shall be considered a commercial area. In case of multiple use, the more restrictive use category shall apply.
Motor vehicle means any vehicle or machine having two or more wheels, propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used on the public roads and highways in the transportation of passengers or property; or any combination thereof, which is required to be licensed but does not include vehicles, locomotives or cars operated exclusively on rail or rails.
Multiple-family dwelling means a building or other shelter that is used to house three or more families.
Nighttime hours means 10:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. weekdays, 10:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. weekends, unless otherwise stated in this article.
Noise means any sound which exceeds the maximum permissible sound levels by land use categories as given in section 66-202, Table 1.
Noise sensitive area means posted, designated quiet zones.
Power equipment means any machine, tool, or similar device driven or operated by a motor.
Powered model vehicle means any self-propelled airborne, waterborne, or landborne model plane, model vessel or model vehicle which is not designed to carry persons, including but not limited to, any model airplane, boat, car, or rocket.
Property boundary means an imaginary line at the ground surface and its vertical extension which separates the immovable property owned or inhabited by one person from that owned or inhabited by another person.
Public right-of-way means any street, avenue, boulevard, highway, sidewalk, alley or similar place normally accessible to the public which is owned or controlled by a governmental entity.
Residential area includes the following districts from the comprehensive zoning ordinance (Article 5, Sections 1 through 7 and Sections 22 and 23): RS1 and RS2, single family districts, RD1 and RD3, two-family districts, RM1 to RM4, multiple-family districts, MS, medical services districts, P, park and recreation district, and NU, nonurban district.
St. Louis Cathedral noise buffer zone shall be defined as an area around St. Louis Cathedral bounded by and including St. Peter Street from the Chartres Street Mall to Cabildo Alley, Cabildo Alley, Pere Antoine Alley, Pirates Alley, St. Ann Street from a line parallel to Cabildo Alley to the Chartres Street Mall and the Chartres Street Mall to a line parallel with the fence line in Jackson Square.
Sound amplifying equipment means any equipment, machine, or device used for the sound amplification of the human voice, music, or any other sound.
Sound level means in decibels, the A-weighted sound pressure level obtained by use of a sound level meter as specified in American National Standards Institute (SI.13-1971, R1976).
Sound level meter means an instrument for measuring sound, including a microphone, amplifier, output meter, and weighting network that is sensitive to pressure fluctuations.
Special historic districts are regulated by the following districts from the comprehensive zoning ordinance (Article 5, Sections 18 through 21): Special historic district/Vieux Carré residential (SHD/VCR), VCR1 and VCR2; special historic district/Vieux Carré entertainment (SHD/VCE), VCE; special historic district/Vieux Carré commercial (SHD/VCC), VCC1, VCC2, and VCS; special historic district/historic Marigny residential (SHD/HMR), HMR1 to HMR3; special historic district/historic Marigny commercial (SHD/HMC), HMC and HMC2.
(Code 1956, § 42A-1; M.C.S., Ord. No. 18,399, § 1, 9-4-97; M.C.S., Ord. No. 18,625, § 1, 2-19-98; M.C.S., Ord. No. 18,857, § 1, 9-3-98; M.C.S., Ord. No. 24834, § 2, 4-5-12)
Cross reference
Definitions generally, § 1-2.