The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to all non-residential uses in all zones, unless otherwise specified in this Chapter. Mitigation measures shall comply with applicable Federal, State, and County laws and/or shall be determined by the Zoning Administrator after evaluation of any submitted risk assessment.
(Ord. 1201, 12/9/2025)
A. 
Air Emissions. Non-residential uses shall comply with the regulations set forth by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and shall not generate or cause any visible dust, gasses, heat, odor, or smoke to be emitted into the atmosphere, except as permitted by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
B. 
Groundborne Vibration. Non-residential uses within proximity of noise sensitive uses shall maintain interior vibration levels as established in Table 18.21.020.A (Groundborne Vibration Impact Criteria). Vibration levels are measured in or near the vibration-sensitive use.
Table 18.21.020.A Groundborne Vibration Impact Criteria
Land Use
Impact Levels (dB)
Frequent Events (a)
Occasional Events (b)
Infrequent Events (c)
Uses where vibration would interfere with interior operations
65 (d)
Residential uses
72
75
80
Institutional uses with primarily daytime uses
75
78
83
Notes:
(a)
Frequent events is defined as more than 70 vibration events of the same source per day.
(b)
Occasional events is defined as between 30 and 70 vibration events of the same source per day.
(c)
Infrequent events is defined as fewer than 30 vibration events of the same source per day.
(d)
This criterion limit is based on levels that are acceptable for most moderately sensitive equipment such as optical microscopes. Vibration-sensitive manufacturing or research will require detailed evaluation to define the acceptable vibration levels.
C. 
Hazardous Waste Facilities. Uses that store, generate, use, or transport hazardous materials shall comply with the Los Angeles County Hazardous Waste Management Plan and provide appropriate response and notification in the event of an emergency or violation.
D. 
Hours of Operation. Industrial uses shall limit their hours of operation to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, unless noise generated by operation does not spill off-site.
E. 
Noise Standards. Maximum allowable environmental noise standards as established in Table 18.21.020.B (Maximum Allowable Environmental Noise Standards).
Table 18.21.020.B Maximum Allowable Environmental Noise Standards
Land Use
Hours of Day
Exterior Noise Level From Property Line Ldn/CNEL, dB
Interior Noise Level (1) Ldn/CNEL, dB
Residential (Low Density, Multi Family, Mixed-Use)
65
45
Transient Lodging (Motels/Hotels)
65
45
Schools, Libraries, Churches, Hospitals/Medical Facilities, Nursing Homes, Museums
70
45
Theaters, Auditoriums
70
N/A
Playgrounds, Parks
70
N/A
Golf Courses, Riding Stables, Water Recreation
75
N/A
Office Buildings, Business Commercial and Professional
70
N/A
Industrial, Manufacturing, and Utilities
75
N/A
F. 
Noise Mitigation. Non-residential uses shall provide noise buffers and barriers, modifications to noise-generating operations, and/or retrofitting of buildings housing noise-sensitive uses, including, but not limited to, the strategies listed in this Subsection, to limit the volume of noise generated by or resulting from the use to a maximum of 75 dB as measured from the property line of the noise source:
1. 
Increasing building setbacks to increase the distance between the noise source and sensitive receptor;
2. 
Orienting buildings which are compatible with higher noise levels adjacent to noise generators or in clusters to shield more noise sensitive areas and uses;
3. 
Orienting delivery, loading docks, and outdoor work areas away from noise-sensitive uses;
4. 
Placing noise tolerant uses, such as parking areas, and noise tolerant structures, such as garages, between the noise source and sensitive receptor;
5. 
Clustering office, commercial, or multifamily residential buildings to reduce noise levels within interior open space areas; and/or
6. 
Providing double glazed and double paned windows on the side of the building or structure facing a major noise source, and placing building entries away from the noise source to the extent possible.
G. 
Noise Study. The Zoning Administrator may require the applicant to submit a noise study, prepared by a person/firm experienced in preparing such studies, for developments involving major noise sources and within proximity of noise sensitive uses to determine and implement appropriate mitigation measures that minimize noise-related annoyance, sleep disruption, speech interference, and other similar effects.
H. 
Public Nuisance. No operations or uses conducted on the premises shall be in violation of this Code, State laws, or environmental regulations by reason of noise, odor, dust, smoke, light, vibrations, or other similar public nuisances as outlined in Section 8.16.010. (Public Nuisance) of Title 8 (Health and Safety) of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code.
I. 
Screening. All activities, with the exception of employee amenities (such as outdoor seating, bicycle racks, or similar), incidental loading and unloading, and pedestrian and vehicular circulation, shall be conducted entirely within buildings, structures, or within outdoor areas entirely screened utilizing one or more of the following options, in compliance with Section 18.18.020. (Fences, Walls, and Hedges):
1. 
Landscaped. Hedges or closely planted evergreen shrubs, bushes, or trees; or
2. 
Built Structures. View-obscuring fences, walls, or other similar screening and enclosure structures as approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(Ord. 1201, 12/9/2025)