The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public, health,
and welfare by providing an acceptable noise environment for existing
and future residents within the city. The city seeks to accomplish
this by establishing the following:
A. A community
noise standard that specifies acceptable limits of noise for various
land uses and activities;
B. Measures
to minimize noise impacts from transportation-related noise sources;
C. Measures
to minimize noise impacts from non-transportation related noise sources.
(Ord. 481 § 1, 1992)
"A-weighted sound level (dB(A))"
means an A-weighted sound level is the sound pressure level
in decibels as measured on a sound level meter using the A-weighted
filter network. The A-weighting filter de-emphasizes the very low
and very high frequency components of the sound in a manner similar
to the response of the human hearing system and provides good correlation
with subjective reactions to noise.
"Community noise equivalent level (CNEL)"
means the average equivalent A-weighted sound level during
a twenty-four-hour day, obtained after the addition of five decibels
to sound levels occurring during the evening from seven p.m. to ten
p.m. and addition of ten decibels to sound levels occurring during
the night from ten p.m. to seven a.m. The five and ten decibel penalties
are applied to account for increased noise sensitivity during the
evening and nighttime hours. The CNEL is not measured, but is computed.
"Cumulative time period"
means an additive period of time composed of individual time
segments which may be continuous or interrupted.
"Day-night average level (Ldn)"
means the average equivalent A-weighted sound level during
a twenty fourhour day obtained after the addition of ten decibels
to sound levels occurring during the nighttime from ten p.m. to seven
a.m. The ten-decibel penalty is applied to account for increased noise
sensitivity during the nighttime hours. The Ldn represents the daily
energy noise exposure averaged on an annual basis.
"Hearing board"
means the board appointed by city council as arbitrators
of the Loma Linda Municipal Code to review and determine violations,
nuisances, abatement procedures, and penalties of this chapter.
"Motor-driven vehicle"
shall includes but is not limited to, any automobile, truck,
van, bus, motorcycle, minibike, go-cart or other self-propelled vehicle,
on or off road.
"Noise"
means any sound that exceeds the limitations set herein.
"Noise level"
means the A-weighted sound pressure level in decibels audible
to humans obtained by using a sound level meter. The unit of noise
level measurement shall be designated as dB(A).
"Person"
means a person, firm, association, co-partnership, joint
venture, corporation, or any entity, public or private in nature.
"Residential property"
(zoned R-1 - R-3 including uses within the institutional
zone) means a parcel of real property which is developed and used
either in part or in whole for residential purposes, other than transient
uses such as hotels and motels.
"Simple tone noise"
means a noise characterized by a predominant frequency, or
frequencies so that other frequencies cannot be readily distinguished.
(Ord. 481 § 1, 1992)
These standards are established guidelines from the Loma Linda
general plan that provide a decibel range for the city manager, or
designee to follow and help determine what type of noises are nuisances
and are unacceptable to the community. This determination will be
on a case by case basis at the discretion of the city manager.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
Normally acceptable: Specified land use activities
that are satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any land use
or building involved are of ordinary performance standards.
Conditionally Acceptable: Activities or Actions
shall be undertaken only after a detailed analysis of the noise reduction
(muffling) requirements is made and noise reduction insulation features
are included as a preventive measure.
Normally Unacceptable: Noise levels exceeding the
following ranges shall generally be discouraged. If new activities
or actions proceed, a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements
must be made and necessary noise insulation features included in the
design.
Clearly Unacceptable: Activities shall not be undertaken
or permitted.
Land Use Category and Similar Activities
|
Maximum Community Noise Exposure Levels
|
Ldn or CNEL, dBa
|
---|
Residential
|
Normally Acceptable
|
55
|
|
Conditionally Acceptable
|
70
|
|
Normally Unacceptable
|
75
|
|
Clearly Unacceptable
|
76
|
Residential (evening)* 10:00 p.m.—7:00 a.m.
|
Normally Acceptable
|
< 50
|
|
Conditionally Acceptable
|
55 or more
|
Transient Lodging Motels, Hotels
|
Normally Acceptable
|
65
|
|
Conditionally Acceptable
|
70
|
|
Normally Unacceptable
|
75
|
|
Clearly Unacceptable
|
76 or more
|
Schools, Libraries, Churches, Hospitals, Nursing Homes
|
Normally Acceptable
|
70
|
|
Conditionally Acceptable
|
70
|
|
Normally Unacceptable
|
80
|
|
Clearly Unacceptable
|
81 or more
|
Auditoriums, Concert Halls, Amphitheaters
|
Conditionally Acceptable
|
80
|
|
Clearly Unacceptable
|
90 or more
|
Sports Arenas, Outdoor Spectator Sports
|
Conditionally Acceptable
|
80
|
|
Clearly Unacceptable
|
90 or more
|
Playgrounds, Neighborhood Parks
|
Normally Acceptable
|
70
|
|
Normally Unacceptable
|
75
|
|
Clearly Unacceptable
|
76 or more
|
Golf Course, Riding Stables, Water Recreation, Cemeteries
|
Normally Acceptable
|
|
|
Normally Unacceptable
|
80
|
|
Clearly Unacceptable
|
81 or more
|
Office Buildings, Business Commercial and Professional
|
Normally Acceptable
|
70
|
|
Conditionally Acceptable
|
75
|
|
Normally Unacceptable
|
76 or more
|
Industrial, Manufacturing Utilities, Agriculture
|
Normally Acceptable
|
70
|
|
Conditionally Acceptable
|
80
|
|
Normally Unacceptable
|
81 or more
|
Emergency type land uses, emergency response vehicles,
and emergency notification measures shall be considered as Normally
Acceptable measures and exempt from violations and or penalties.
|
|
(Ord. 481 § 1, 1992)
Any violation of this chapter is a public nuisance and may be abated in accordance with law pursuant to Chapter
9.12 of this code.
(Ord. 481 § 1, 1992)
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or fail to comply with any of the mandatory requirements of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction. Any person convicted of an infraction under the provisions of a city ordinance shall be punishable pursuant to Chapter
1.12 of the Municipal Code as amended.
(Ord. 481 § 1, 1992)