Section 20-2704. EXEMPTIONS: MISCELLANEOUS

 

2704.1Sounds emanating from the sources covered in this section shall, to the extent indicated, be exempt from the specific noise limitations contained in § 2701 of this chapter; Provided, that no exemption shall preclude enforcement under any other section of Chapters 27 and 28 of this subtitle.

 

2704.2Individual pieces of construction equipment shall be exempt at all times. They shall be operated so as to comply with the noise limits established in § 2802 of this subtitle.

 

2704.3Noise of safety signals, emergency pressure relief valves, and warning or alarm devices shall be exempt (including horns when necessary as a danger warning); Provided, that no person knowingly shall permit a noise to be made or to continue beyond that necessary for the emergency safety purpose, or necessary testing.

 

2704.4Noise resulting from any authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or acting in a time of emergency, shall be exempt; Provided, that this subsection shall not be construed to permit law enforcement, ambulance, fire, or other emergency or official personnel to make excessive noise in the performance of their duties when the noise clearly is unnecessary.

 

2704.5Noise resulting from emergency work shall be exempt at all times.

 

2704.6The use or operation of portable power tools, home snow removal equipment, power garden excluding leaf blowers devices, and other powered equipment for minor repairs or minor improvements of real or personal residential property shall be exempt on weekdays (excluding Saturdays) during the daytime and from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.

 

2704.7Motor vehicles and motorcycles shall be exempt at all times. They shall be properly maintained and operated so as to comply with the noise limits established in Chapter 28 of this subtitle.

 

2704.8The unamplified voice shall be exempt at all times.

 

2704.9Noise resulting from the use of bull-horn amplifiers, permanently installed public address systems, whistles, or other devices, by personnel of the District government, the U.S. government, or other public agencies acting in their official capacities shall be exempt.

 

2704.10Church bells or music connected with worship or official church ceremonies shall be exempt; provided, that this exemption shall not apply to music which is amplified through electronic sound systems.

 

2704.11Noise emanating from solid waste compactors shall be exempt at all times until standards are developed and promulgated by the administering agency pursuant to § 2704.13.

 

2704.12After giving a thirty (30) day notice, and within six (6) months after federal regulations for solid waste compactors are made final, the administering agency shall develop and promulgate standards for solid waste compactors. In developing the standards, the agency shall use the federal regulations for solid waste compactors as a guideline.

 

2704.13Noise resulting from the operation of emergency generator equipment, when its use is required to protect the health and safety of persons, shall be exempt. Noise resulting from necessary testing of emergency generator equipment shall be exempt on weekdays (excluding holidays) between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

 

source

Section 5 of the District of Columbia Noise Control Act of 1977, D.C. Law 2-53, 24 DCR 5293, 5306 (December 30, 1977); as amended by § 2 of the District of Columbia Noise Control Amendment Act of 1977, D.C. Law 9-135, 39 DCR 4079 (June 12, 1992).