Knox County's zoning ordinance sets octave-band sound-pressure limits at the property line for uses subject to performance standards, ranging from 77 dB at 63 Hz down to 39 dB at 8,000 Hz, measured on a slow-response sound level meter.
Knox County has no residential A-weighted decibel cap, but its Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, 4.10.01) imposes an octave-band sound-pressure standard on uses subject to performance standards (chiefly commercial and industrial). No person may operate a sound source creating a level at or beyond the lot boundary that exceeds the table: 63 Hz = 77 dB, 125 Hz = 71 dB, 250 Hz = 63 dB, 500 Hz = 57 dB, 1,000 Hz = 51 dB, 2,000 Hz = 45 dB, 4,000 Hz = 40 dB, 8,000 Hz = 39 dB. Measurements use a sound-level meter meeting USASI S1.4-1961 on slow response. Construction and brief noises are exempt.
Enforced as a zoning violation under Knox County Zoning Ordinance Article 6; abatement and civil penalties apply to non-compliant uses.
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See how Knox County's decibel limits rules stack up against other locations.
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