Knox County zoning bars any use from creating a sound level at or beyond its lot boundary exceeding the octave-band performance-standard limits. Short bursts, safety signals, railroads, and construction are exempt; measurement uses a slow-response sound meter.
Knox County's Zoning Ordinance imposes industrial performance standards for noise (Appendix A, 4.10.01): 'No person shall operate, cause to operate or allow to operate any source of sound in such a manner as to create a sound level at any point on or beyond the boundary of any lot or tract which exceeds the limits set forth in these standards.' Exemptions include safety signals and warning devices, railroads, noise lasting under five seconds (not repeated more than ten times per hour), limited mobile-equipment operation, and construction/maintenance noise. The specific octave-band decibel table (see decibel-limits) sets the numeric caps. Enforced through the county's zoning administration.
Zoning violation under the Knox County Zoning Ordinance; the county may require abatement and pursue civil penalties against the offending use.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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