§ 11-4. Exceptions.

Section 11-3 shall have no application to any sound generated by any of the following:

(1)

Activities expressly approved by the county. This exception, and the other exceptions contained in this section, shall not apply merely due to county approval or issuance of any land-use permit, zoning permit, building permit, special exception, conditional use, business license, or other permit, license, or permission unless said county approval or issuance so indicates.

(2)

Public speaking and public assembly activities conducted on any public right-of-way or public property, provided such activities are approved by the county.

(3)

Bona fide religious services, religious events, or religious activities or expressions, including, but not limited to music, singing, bells, chimes, and organs which are a part of such service, event, activity, or expression.

(4)

Military activities of the Commonwealth of Virginia or of the United States of America.

(5)

Activities on or in municipal, county, state, United States, or school athletic facilities, or on or in publicly owned property and facilities, which activities are approved by the appropriate governmental entities or agencies.

(6)

Radios, sirens, horns, and bells on law enforcement, fire, or emergency response vehicles.

(7)

Fire alarms and burglar alarms, prior to the giving of notice and a reasonable opportunity for the owner or person in possession of the premises served by any such alarm to turn off the alarm.

(8)

Sound which is necessary for the protection or preservation of property or the health, safety, life or limb of any person, including sound generated by the normal operation of any air conditioning, refrigeration or heating equipment in good repair. However, as to any air conditioning, refrigeration or heating equipment found to exceed the maximum permissible sound pressure levels prescribed in section 11-4 above, such equipment shall not fall within this exception unless within ten (10) days following receipt of a written notice of violation, a written certificate is provided to the county, issued by a repair agent duly certified by the manufacturer of such equipment, certifying that based upon personal inspection of the equipment subsequent to the date of the notice of violation, the equipment was found to be correctly installed and operating properly.

(9)

Activities associated with the operation of agricultural and farm equipment, in good operational order.

(10)

Activities associated with the operation of marine equipment, in good operational order, used by commercial watermen.

(11)

Household tools and lawnmowers and other lawn care equipment with manufacturer's recommended mufflers installed, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

(12)

The striking of clocks.

(13)

Lawful discharge of firearms.

(Ord. of 2-1-2011)

(Ord. of 2-1-2011)