D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 20, r. 20-2704
Sounds 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.
Individual 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.
Noise 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.
Noise 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.
Noise resulting from emergency work shall be exempt at all times.
The 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.
Motor 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.
The unamplified voice shall be exempt at all times.
Noise 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.
Church 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.
Noise 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.
After 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.
Noise 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.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 20, r. 20-2704