10.01.030 Quantitative standards for sound.
(1) Unlawful sounds. Except as provided in SCC 10.01.050 (1), 10.01.050 (2), 10.01.050 (3), 10.01.050 (4), 10.01.050 (5), 10.01.050 (6) and 10.01.050 (7) it is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from the property, sound which intrudes into the property of another person and exceeds the maximum permissible sound levels established in sub-sections SCC 10.01.030 (2) and 10.01.030 (3); or for any person to operate upon any public highway any motor vehicle or any combination of motor vehicles under any conditions of grade, load, acceleration or deceleration in such manner as to exceed the maximum permissible sound levels established in sub-section SCC 10.01.030 (4) for the category of vehicle.
(2) Maximum permissible sound levels. Measurement of sound levels from all sources except motor vehicles on public roads shall be made at or within the property boundary of the receiving property. Maximum permissible sound levels for districts within unincorporated Snohomish county, expressed in dB(A)’s, are:
|
DISTRICT OF RECEIVING PROPERTY |
DISTRICT OF NOISE SOURCE |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RURAL |
RESIDENTIAL |
COMMERCIAL |
INDUSTRIAL |
|
|
RURAL |
49 |
52 |
55 |
57 |
|
RESIDENTIAL |
52 |
55 |
57 |
60 |
|
COMMERCIAL |
55 |
57 |
60 |
65 |
|
INDUSTRIAL |
57 |
60 |
65 |
70 |
(3) Modifications to maximum permissible sound levels. The maximum permissible sound levels established in sub-section SCC 10.01.030 (2) are altered by the sum of the increases and reductions in (a), (b), and (c) below:
(a) Sounds of short duration may exceed the maximum permissible sound levels by a total of not more than fifteen minutes in any one-hour period, when comprised of one or any combination of the following:
(1) 5 dB(A) for a total of fifteen minutes, or
(2) 10 dB(A) for a total of five minutes, or
(3) 15 dB(A) for a total of one-and-one-half minutes.
(b) At night, as defined in sub-section 10.01.020 (18), the maximum permissible sound levels are reduced by ten dB(A) where the receiving property lies within a rural or residential district of Snohomish county, except for sound sources exempted under sub-section 10.01.050 (3).
(c) For any source of sound which is periodic, has a pure tone component, or is impulsive, the maximum permissible sound levels are reduced by 5 dB(A) at night, as defined in section 10.01.020 (18), where the receiving property lies within a rural or residential district of Snohomish county, except for sound sources exempted under sub-section 10.01.050 (4).
(4) Maximum permissible sound levels for motor vehicles. Measurement of motor vehicle sound levels shall be made at a distance of fifty feet from the center of the lane of travel at the posted speed limit, by measurement procedures established by the State Commission on Equipment. Maximum permissible sound levels for motor vehicles, expressed in dB(A)’s, are:
|
Vehicle Category |
35 mph (56kph) or less |
Over 35 mph (56 kph) |
|---|---|---|
|
Motorcycles |
78 |
82 |
|
Automobiles, light trucks, and not all other motor vehicles 10,000 pounds or less GVWR |
72 |
78 |
|
All motor vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR |
86 |
90 |
(5) Maximum permissible sound levels for watercraft. No person shall operate a watercraft on the waters of unincorporated Snohomish county in a manner as to exceed the maximum noise limits as prescribed in RCW 88.12.085. All measurements for enforcement of this section shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 352-67 WAC.
(6) Modification for recorded bells, chimes, and carillons. The maximum permissible sound levels established in sub-section SCC 10.01.030(2) may be exceeded by 20 dB(A) for sounds of bells, chimes or carillons created by a sound amplifier or other device capable of producing or reproducing sound for a total of not more than 15 minutes a week. (Added by Ord. 97-023 § 1, June 4, 1997, Eff date Jan. 1, 1998).