§ 15.70.080. Property line noise emission standards.

A.

Except when a permit has been issued by the department or as otherwise provided in subsection B. of this section, no person shall operate or allow to be operated on public or private property any source of sound in such a manner as to create a sound level that exceeds the limits set forth for the receiving land use category in Table 1 of this chapter when sound levels are measured at or within the real property boundary of the receiving land use.

Table 1. Sound Levels By Emitting and Receiving Land Use

Receiving Property Line Limits (7:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m.) (dB (A) L max )
	Emitting Property
Receiving Property	Residential	Commercial	Industrial
Residential	60	65	70
Commercial	70	70	75
Industrial	80	80	80

 

Receiving Property Line Limits (10:00 p.m.—7:00 a.m.)
	Emitting Property
Receiving Property	Residential	Commercial	Industrial
Residential	50	55	65
Commercial	60	60	70
Industrial	80	80	80

 

B.

The provisions of subsection A. of this section shall not apply to the unamplified human voice or activities covered by sections 15.70.060 B.1., pertaining to aircraft and airport operations, 15.70.060 B.3., pertaining to construction during the construction season between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., 15.70.060 B.4., pertaining to domestic power tools, 15.70.060 B.5., pertaining to emergency signaling devices, 15.70.060 B.6., pertaining to explosives, firearms and similar devices, 15.70.060 B.9., pertaining to motorboats, 15.70.060 B.14., pertaining to public service utilities, 15.70.060 B.16., pertaining to stationary nonemergency signaling devices, 15.70.090 A., pertaining to motor vehicles operating on public rights-of-way, 15.70.090 D., pertaining to refuse collection vehicles, and 15.70.090 E., pertaining to snow removal vehicles on Anchorage School District property and other public rights-of-way.

C.

Notwithstanding the above provisions in this section, no person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the operation of any amplified sound on private property in such a manner that it raises the total sound levels of the permissible sound limits set forth in Table 2 when measured within the residence, dwelling, or building structure of a complainant. If the source of sound is amplified sound on private property, and the complainant states that the rhythmic bass component of the music is disturbing within their residence, dwelling, or building structure, then the noise enforcement officer may take sound level measurements within the residence, dwelling, or building structure of the complainant. These sound level shall be measured using the "C" weighted sound level, with the sound level meter set for "C" weighting, "fast" response. Such measurements shall not be taken in areas that receive only casual use, such as hallways, closets and bathrooms. For the purposes of these measurements, the ambient sound level is that sound level which is measured in the residence, dwelling, or building structure when the sound source under investigation is not prominent, or in a room on the same floor that is relatively unaffected by the sound source under investigation. The "C"-scale is more sensitive to low frequency sound levels than the "A"-scale; an increase of 3dB is perceived by humans as being plainly audible, an increase of 5dB is plainly louder and an increase of 10dB is perceived as being twice as loud.

Maximum Permissible Sound Level Limits

(Indoors across a real property line)

Weeknights 10:00 p.m.—7:00 a.m.	3 dB(C) above ambient sound levels
Friday, Saturday and Holidays 11:00 p.m.—7:00 a.m.	3 dB(C) above ambient sound
All Other Times	5 dB(C) above ambient sound

 

(GAAB 16.85; AO No. 78-48; AO No. 2001-97, § 3, 5-22-01; AO No. 2011-59, § 7, 5-24-11)

Cross reference

Supplementary zoning district regulations, ch. 21.45.