A. 
The City establishes the noise regulations in this chapter to control unnecessary, excessive, and annoying sounds emanating from all properties and land uses in the City. It is the declared policy of the City to prohibit these sounds generated from all sources, as specified in this chapter.
B. 
The City recognizes and declares, based on published scientific and health data, that certain noise levels are detrimental to the public health, welfare, and general safety and contrary to public interest. Therefore, the Council does ordain and declare that creating, maintaining, causing, or allowing to create, maintain, or cause any noise in a manner prohibited by, or not in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, is a public nuisance and shall be abated and when such abated is not achieved, to be punishable as a public nuisance pursuant to Section 17.20.080 (Manner of Enforcement) of this title.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
A. 
The following activities shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
1. 
School bands, school athletic events, and school entertainment events, provided these events are conducted on school property or authorized by special permit from the City;
2. 
Activities lawfully conducted in public parks, public playgrounds, and public or private school grounds;
3. 
A mechanical device, apparatus, or equipment used, related to, or connected with emergency machinery, vehicle, or work;
4. 
Noise sources associated with construction activities, provided the activities take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays or between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and do not take place at any time on Sundays or Federal holidays;
5. 
Noise sources associated with the maintenance of real property, provided the activities take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturdays, or between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays or Federal holidays;
6. 
An activity or equipment to the extent that design regulation of it has been preempted by State or Federal laws.
B. 
For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
1. 
The term "construction activities" means the building or enlargement of any structure, demolition, excavation, modification, alteration, substantial repair, remodeling, or grading of any real property.
2. 
The term "maintenance of real property" means the routine, recurring, and usual work for the preservation or protection of real property and improvements including lawn mowing, tree trimming, pruning, painting, power washing, gutter cleaning, or similar undertakings that do not constitute construction activities.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019; Ord. 2024-01, 5/20/2024)
Noise level measurements made in compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall be performed using a sound level meter as defined in Division 7 (Definitions). The location selected for measuring exterior noise levels shall be at any point on the property line of the offender or anywhere on the affected property. Interior noise measurements shall be made within the affected building. The measurement shall be made at a point in the affected building at least four feet from the wall, ceiling, or floor nearest the noise source.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
A. 
Noise Districts. For the purposes of controlling noise and its impacts, the City shall be divided into noise districts defined as follows:
1. 
Noise District 1: All properties zoned R-1, R-2, R-3, and MH.
2. 
Noise District 2: All properties zoned C-O, C-F, and O-A, and with an MOZ overlay.
3. 
Noise District 3: All properties zoned C-G and TCMU, and with the ROZ overlay.
4. 
Noise District 4: All properties zoned P-L-I.
B. 
Unclassified. For any property or group of properties zoned SP, the Director shall assign an applicable noise district based upon the prevailing land uses within the specific plan area.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
A. 
Baseline. The following noise standards, unless otherwise specifically indicated, shall apply to properties within the identified noise districts. No person shall cause any noise to occur that exceeds these standards except as authorized in subsection B, below.
Table 3-01: Exterior Noise Standards
Noise District
Maximum Noise Level
Time Period
1—Daytime
55 dB(A)
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
1—Nighttime
50 dB(A)
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
2
55 dB(A)
Anytime
3
60 dB(A)
Anytime
4
70 dB(A)
Anytime
B. 
Temporary Exceedances. It is unlawful for any person to create noise, or to allow the creation of noise, on property owned, leased, occupied, or otherwise controlled by a person, that causes the baseline noise levels established in subsection A, either within or outside of the City, to exceed the applicable noise standard as follows:
1. 
For a cumulative period of more than 30 minutes in any hour;
2. 
Plus five dB(A) for a cumulative period of more than 15 minutes in any hour;
3. 
Plus 10 dB(A) for a cumulative period of more than five minutes in any hour;
4. 
Plus 15 dB(A) for a cumulative period of more than one minute in any hour; or
5. 
Plus 20 dB(A) for any period of time.
C. 
Maximum Allowable Noise Levels. In the event the ambient noise level exceeds the noise limit categories described in subsections (B)(1) through (5) of this section above, the cumulative period applicable to the category shall be increased to reflect the ambient noise level. In the event the ambient noise level exceeds the fifth noise limit category, the maximum allowable noise level under that category shall be increased to reflect the maximum ambient noise level.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
A. 
Baseline. Interior noise standards established by the State Health and Safety Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2) shall apply to all multi-family residential construction and uses. For all other uses, the following interior noise standards shall apply.
Table 3-02: Interior Noise Standards
Noise District
Maximum Noise Level
Time Period
1—Daytime
55 dB(A)
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
1—Nighttime
45 dB(A)
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
2, 3, 4
55 dB(A)
Anytime
B. 
Temporary Exceedances. It is unlawful for any person to create noise, or to allow the creation of noise, on property owned, leased, occupied, or otherwise controlled by a person, that causes the noise level, when measured within structures in the applicable noise district, to exceed:
1. 
The noise standard for a cumulative period of more than five minutes in an hour;
2. 
The noise standard plus five dB(A) for a cumulative period of more than one minute in an hour; or
3. 
The noise standard plus ten 10 dB(A) for any period of time.
C. 
Maximum Allowable Noise Levels. In the event the ambient noise level exceeds either of the first two noise limit categories described in subsections (B)(1) and (2) of this section, the cumulative period applicable to the category shall be increased to reflect the ambient noise level. In the event the ambient noise level exceeds the third noise limit category, the maximum allowable noise level under that category shall be increased to reflect the maximum ambient noise level.
D. 
Different Noise Districts. In the event that the noise source and the affected property are within different noise districts, the noise standards of the affected property shall apply.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
It is unlawful for a person to create noise that causes the noise level at a school, hospital, or place of public assembly—while the facility is in use—to exceed the noise limits specified for exterior noise in this chapter, or which noise level unreasonably interferes with the use of the facility or which unreasonably disturbs or annoys patients in a hospital, provided conspicuous signs are displayed in three separate locations within one-tenth of a mile of the school, hospital, or place of public assembly indicating the presence of such school, hospital, or place of public assembly.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
A. 
The Director and duly authorized representatives are directed to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The Police Chief and duly authorized representatives are authorized in compliance with Penal Code Section 836.5 to arrest any person without a warrant when they have reasonable cause to believe that a person has committed a misdemeanor in their presence.
B. 
Persons shall not interfere with, oppose, or resist an authorized person charged with enforcement of this chapter while any person is engaged in the performance of his or her duty.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
A. 
Application Requirements. The owner or operator of a noise source that violates any of the provisions of this chapter may file an application with the Director for relief from the provisions, and the owner or operator shall detail all actions taken to comply with the provisions, the reasons why immediate compliance cannot be achieved, a proposed method of achieving compliance, and a proposed time schedule for its accomplishment. The application shall be accompanied by a fee as established by resolution of the Council.
B. 
Separate Applications. A separate application shall be filed for each noise source. However, in the circumstance that several mobile sources are under common ownership, or several fixed sources occur on a single property, such request for relief may be combined into one application. Upon receipt of the application and fee, the Director shall refer it with his/her recommendation in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
C. 
Compliance Required Until Relief Granted. An applicant for relief shall remain subject to prosecution under the terms of this title until such relief is granted.
D. 
Review Authority. The Planning Commission shall evaluate all applications for relief from the requirements of this chapter and may grant relief with respect to time for compliance subject to the terms, conditions, and requirements as it may deem reasonable to achieve maximum compliance with the provisions of this chapter. These terms, conditions, and requirements may include, but shall not be limited to, limitations on noise levels and operating hours. Each relief application granted shall identify in detail the approved method of achieving maximum compliance and a time schedule for its accomplishment.
E. 
Factors to Be Considered. In its determinations, the Planning Commission shall consider the magnitude of nuisance caused by the offensive noise; the uses of property within the area of impingement by the noise; the time factors related to study, design, financing and construction of remedial work; the economic factors related to age and useful life of equipment; and the general public interest and welfare.
F. 
Violations. Any relief granted shall be by resolution and shall be transmitted to the Director for enforcement. A violation of the terms of the relief is unlawful.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)