[mgj-discuss] update on July 9th city council hearing

[O M]

Upon reading the municipal regulations further, I think I'm more clear now 
on what the changes would be. The amendment only amends daytime noise 
levels, and states that the use of noise measuring devices isn't required at 
night (which I think is already the case, according to courts). Any 
potential criminal enforcement of the regulations is unchanged. The table 
below lays out the changes. I know that decibel levels are logarithmic, 
meaning that a change in 10 db (ie from 80 to 70) is a change of 10 times 
the intensity of the sound, and two times the "loudness" (80 is twice as 
loud as 70). How this will affect bullhorns/noisemakers/etc. I'm not sure, 
because I don't know how loud they are. Has anyone else read the 
regulations/do others think this is correct/anyone know the decibel level of 
bullhorns?
Oscar

Now                                                           Under Proposed 
Bill
-Noises above 80 db prohibited during             -Noises above 70 db 
prohibited during daytime hours.
daytime hours (7 AM to 9 PM)                        (7 AM to 9 PM)
-Applicable in Central Employment Area, or       -No specified applicable 
area, so applies to all of DC
areas zoned industrial or manufacturing.            not covered in 
exceptions/exemptions (I think)
-Use of measuring device required for              -Use of measuring device 
STILL required for non-
non-commercial public speaking during           commercial public speaking 
during daytime
daytime(eg a protest)
-Measurements to take place from any             -Measurements to take place 
from 50 ft from source
nearby occupied building or 50 ft from            of sound.
source of sound.

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