§ 208-5. Noise levels.

A. 

It shall be unlawful for any person to emit or cause to be emitted any noise beyond the boundaries of his/her premises in excess of the noise levels established in these regulations.

B. 

Noise level standards:

(1) 

No person in a residential zone shall emit noise beyond the boundaries of his/her premises exceeding the levels stated herein and applicable to adjacent residential, commercial and industrial zones:

	Receptor's Zone
		Industrial	Commercial	Residential	Residential
	Emitter's Zone
	Residential	62dBA	55dBA	Day 55 dBA	Night 45 dBA

(2) 

No person in a commercial zone shall emit noise beyond the boundary of his/her premises exceeding the levels stated herein and applicable to adjacent residential, commercial or industrial zones:

	Receptor's Zone
		Industrial	Commercial	Residential	Residential
	Emitter's Zone
	Commercial	62dBA	62 dBA	Day 55 dBA	Night 45 dBA

(3) 

No person in an industrial zone shall emit noise beyond the boundary of his/her premises exceeding the levels stated herein and applicable to adjacent residential, commercial or industrial zones:

	Receptor's Zone
		Industrial	Commercial	Residential	Residential
	Emitter's Zone
	Industrial	70 dBA	66 dBA	Day 61 dBA	Night 51 dBA

C. 

High background noise levels and impulse noise.

(1) 

In those individual cases where the background noise levels caused by sources not subject to these regulations exceed the standards contained herein, a source shall be considered to cause excessive noise if the noise emitted by such source exceeds the background noise levels by five (5) dBA, provided that no source subject to the provisions of this chapter shall emit noise in excess of 80 dBA at any time, and provided that this section does not decrease the permissible levels of other sections of this chapter.

(2) 

No person shall cause or allow the emission of impulse noise in excess of 80 dB peak sound pressure level during the nighttime to any residential noise zone.

(3) 

No person shall cause or allow the emission of impulse noise in excess of 100 dB peak sound pressure level at any time to any zone.

D. 

Exclusions. These levels shall not apply to noise emitted by or related to:

(1) 

Natural phenomena.

(2) 

Any bell or chime from any building clock, school, or church.

(3) 

Any siren, whistle or bell lawfully used by emergency vehicles or any other alarm system used in an emergency situation; provided, however, that burglar alarms not terminating within 30 minutes after being activated shall be unlawful.

(4) 

Warning devices required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or other state or federal safety regulations.

(5) 

Farming equipment or farming activity.

E. 

Exemptions. The following shall be exempt from these regulations, subject to special conditions as spelled out:

(1) 

Noise generated by any construction equipment which is operated during daytime hours. Noise generated by construction equipment during nighttime hours shall not exceed the maximum noise levels as specified on § 208-5B.

(2) 

Noise created as a result of or relating to an emergency.

(3) 

Noise from domestic power equipment such as but not limited to power saws, sanders, grinders, lawn and garden tools or similar devices operated during daytime hours.

(4) 

Noise from snow removal equipment.

(5) 

Noise from demolition work conducted during daytime hours. When considered emergency work, demolition shall be exempted at all times from the noise levels set in this regulation.

(6) 

Noise created by any aircraft flight operations which are specifically permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration.

(7) 

Noise created by any recreational activities which are permitted by law and for which a license or permit has been granted by the Town or State of Connecticut, including but not limited to parades, sporting events, concerts and firework displays.

(8) 

Noise created by blasting, other than that conducted in connection with construction activities, shall be exempted, provided that the blasting is conducted between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. local time at specified hours previously announced to the local public or provided that a permit for such blasting is obtained from local authorities.

(9) 

Noise generated by the police and other established shooting facilities as permitted by Connecticut firearms laws, C.G.S. 22a-74a.