Sec. 22-204 caps industrial-district stationary sound at 85 dBA (L10) and 75 dBA (L90) both day and night, measured five feet inside the receiving property line. Sec. 22-205(8) prohibits vibration above the perception threshold at the property boundary, and Sec. 22-205(6) limits construction and demolition noise to the industrial level.
Industrial and stationary-source noise in Rowlett is regulated under Chapter 22, Article V. Sec. 22-204 sets the industrial-district limits at 85 dBA (L10) and 75 dBA (L90), and unlike residential and commercial zones these caps do not drop at night, applying both 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. Crucially, the limit that controls is for the receiving land use measured at the property boundary, and when a source could be measured in more than one category the most restrictive use applies, so an industrial operation near residential property must meet the lower residential limits at that boundary. Sec. 22-204(b) makes exceeding any standard by 20 dBA a violation at any time. Sec. 22-205(8) prohibits using any device that creates vibration above the perception threshold of any individual at or beyond the property boundary (or 50 feet from the source on public space or right-of-way). Sec. 22-205(6) ties commercial construction, blasting, repair, and demolition equipment to the industrial sound level at the receiving property line. Properly maintained HVAC equipment (Sec. 22-206(1)) and emergency or public-service work (Sec. 22-206(2)) are exempt. The director may grant a variance under Sec. 22-208, with appeals to the environmental services board. Enforcement is by the Department of Planning and Environmental Services (Sec. 22-207).
Exceeding the industrial limits or causing prohibited vibration violates Chapter 22 and is punishable under Sec. 1-13 by a fine not exceeding $500.00 where no other penalty is fixed; the higher $2,000 cap can apply to violations governing public health and sanitation. Each day is a separate offense, and the city may seek nuisance abatement or injunctive relief.
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