“Ambient noise level” means the all encompassing noise level associated with a given environment, being a composite of sounds from all sources, excluding the alleged offensive noise, at the location and approximate time at which a comparison with the alleged offensive noise is to be made.

    “‘ A’  weighted sound level” means the total sound level in decibels of all sound as measured with a sound level meter with a reference pressure of twenty (20) micropascals using the ‘ A’ weighted network (scale) at slow response. The unit of measurement shall be defined as dB(A).

    “Church” means any building or portion thereof regularly used by people as a place to worship God and known by those familiar with the neighborhood to be so used.

    “Commercial properties” means any building, structure, premise or portion thereof used for wholesale or retail purposes on which the property user or employees are engaged in work for which it is intended that compensation be received for goods or services.

    “Construction” means construction, erection, enlargements, alteration, conversion or movement of any building, structures or land together with any scientific surveys associated therewith.

    “Cumulative period” means an additive period of time composed of individual time segments which may be continuous or interrupted.

    “Decibel (dB)” means a unit for measuring the amplitude of sounds, equal to twenty (20) times the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is twenty (20) micropascals.

    “Director” means the director of environmental health of the county or his duly authorized deputy.

    “Dwelling unit” means a single unit providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.

    “Emergency work” means the use of any machinery, equipment, vehicle, manpower or other activity in a short term effort to protect or restore safe conditions in the community, or work by private or public utilities when restoring utility service.

    “Hospital” means any building or portion thereof used for the accommodation and medical care of the sick, injured or infirm persons and includes rest homes and nursing homes.

    “Impulsive noise” means a noise of short duration usually less than one second and of high intensity with an abrupt onset and rapid decay.

    “Intruding noise level” means the total sound level in decibels, created, caused, maintained or originating from an alleged offensive source at a specified location while the alleged offensive source is in operation.

    “Noise disturbance” means any sound as judged by any person empowered to enforce this chapter, which (A) endangers or injures the safety or health of human beings or animals, or (B) endangers or injures personal or real property, or (C) annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivity. The factors which shall be considered in determining whether a violation of (C) exists shall include, but not be limited to the following:

    1.    The relative sound level of the objectionable noise to the ambient noise;

    2.    The proximity of the objectionable noise to residential sleeping facilities or public camping facilities;

    3.    The number of persons affected by the objectionable noise;

    4.    The day of the week and time of day or night the objectionable noise occurs;

    5.    The duration of the objectionable noise and its tonal, informational or musical content;

    6.    Whether the objectionable noise is continuous, recurrent or intermittent;

    7.    The nature and zoning of the area within which the objectionable noise emanates.

    “Person” means a person, firm, association, partnership, joint venture, corporation or any entity, public or private in nature.

    “Recreational motor vehicle” means any motor vehicle (as that term is defined in the California Vehicle Code) and shall also include, but not be limited to, motorcycles, go-carts, campers, dune buggies and commercial or noncommercial racing vehicles. A “recreational motor vehicle” does not include a motorboat.

    “Residential property” means a parcel of real property which is developed and used either in whole or in part for residential purposes.

    “School” means public or private institutions, including vocational schools, conducting regular academic instruction at preschool, kindergarten, elementary, secondary or collegiate levels.

    “Simple tone noise” means any sound which is distinctly audible as a single pitch or a set of single pitches as judged by any person empowered to enforce this chapter.

    “Sound level meter” means an instrument used for measurement of sound levels, which meets the American National Standard Institute’ s Standard S14-1971 or most recent revision thereof for Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meters or an instrument and the associated recording and analyzing equipment which will provide equivalent data.

    “Sound pressure level” of a sound, in decibels, means twenty (20) times the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the pressure of the sound to a reference pressure which is twenty (20) micropascals. (Prior gen. code §§ 3-107.201— 3-107.221)