Definitions
San Diego Municipal Code § 68.0156
in effect§68.0156 Definitions
For the purpose of this Division, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) Decibel. A unit measure of sound (noise) level.
(b) Emergency. Any unanticipated landing or departure reasonably necessary to protect persons or property from exposure to damage or danger.
(c) Landing. The flight of an aircraft from the time it descends below 1,000 feet above ground level for its landing approach until it is taxied from the runway.
(d) Low Approach. An action by an aircraft consisting of an approach over the Airport for a landing where the pilot intentionally does not make contact with the runway.
(e) Maximum Sound Level. In decibels, is the highest sound level reached at any instant using slow weighting as defined in American National Standard ANSI 51.4–1983 entitled “Specifications of Sound Level meters” during the time interval used in measuring the sound exposure level of a single event.
(f) Single Event Noise Exposure Level (SENEL). For the purpose of this Article, the single event noise exposure level (SENEL), in decibels, is the sound exposure level of a single event, such as an aircraft fly–by, measured over the time interval between the initial and final times for which the sound level of a single event exceeds the threshold sound level. For implementation of the provisions of this Division, the threshold sound level shall be at least 20 decibels below the numerical value of the single event noise exposure level limits specified in section 68.0158.
(g) Sound Exposure Level. The level of sound accumulated during a given event, with reference to a duration of one second. More specifically, sound exposure level, in decibels, is the level of the time–integrated A–weighted squared sound pressure for a stated time interval or event, based on the reference pressure of 20 micronewtons per square meter and reference duration of one second.
(h) Takeoff. The flight of an aircraft from the time it commences its departure on the runway until it has attained an altitude of 1,000 feet above the ground level.
(i) Stop and go. The action by an aircraft consisting of a landing followed by a complete stop on the runway and takeoff from that point.
(j) Touch and go. The action by an aircraft consisting of a landing and a departure on a runway without stopping or exiting the runway.
(Amended 10–6–1986 by O–16720 N.S.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter06/Ch06Art08Division01.pdf#page=15Fetched: 10/28/2026