(a) Purpose. This section is intended to provide standards or guidelines for the operation of processes or for the conduct of uses permitted in this Planning and Zoning Code to prevent dangerous or harmful elements from adversely affecting adjacent properties.
(b) Measurement at Lot Line. All observations or measurements specified in this section shall be made at the lot or property line in question, unless otherwise noted.
(c) Determination of Standards. A determination of performance standard criteria may be made by the Planning Commission. He or she shall request assistance from such other City departments, boards, commissions, or officials, or from such County, State, or Federal agencies as he or she may require.
(d) Specific Standards. The following performance standards shall be observed in the operation of any use in any zoning district:
(1) Atmospheric pollution. The emission of smoke, dust, soot, flash, or other particulates shall be restricted by the use of appropriate abatement devices so that no such matter escapes or is deposited on land outside the lot or tract where such particulates are discharged.
(2) Solid waste. Trash, garbage, papers, ashes, and other solid waste shall not be allowed to accumulate on a lot and shall, while stored on site, be stored in sealed containers so as not to harbor vermin or rodents or be spread by the elements. Containers shall be screened from view according to Section 1274.01.
(3) Liquid waste. Liquid waste shall be disposed of in appropriate containers and removed from the site on a regular basis. No sewage, oil, wash water, chemicals, or other liquid waste shall be discharged into a drainage course or creek.
(4) Odor. No odor shall be emitted which is normally offensive to human senses.
(5) Noise.
A. Except as otherwise permitted for I-2 Districts, no noise, music, announcement, or amplification device of a sound level higher than that of normal traffic or ambient noise levels shall be permitted, except for railroad signals or other warning devices.
B. In an I-2 District, all uses shall comply with the requirements of this subsection.
1. Definitions. For the purposes of this subsection, the following definitions shall apply.
a. A-WEIGHTED SOUND LEVEL: The sound level in decibels as measured on a sound-level meter using the A-weighting network. The level so read is designated as dB(A) or dBA.
b. SOUND-LEVEL METER: An instrument for the measurement of sound pressure levels which meets or exceeds the requirements pertinent to Type 2 meters in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications.
2. Maximum Noise Level. In an I-2 District, noise levels shall not exceed the decibel
limits contained in the following table:
Maximum Noise Level at the Property Line (dBA) | ||
7:30 am to dusk | dusk to 7:30 am | |
a. Adjacent to residential district | 55 | 45 |
b. Adjacent to non- residential district (1) | 65 | 60 |
(1) In no case, however, shall the decibel level exceed, at the nearest residential property line, the maximum sound pressure level indicated in line a. | ||
3. Measurement.
a. A sound-level meter shall be used to measure sound- pressure level.
b. Noise levels shall be measured at the point on the I-2 District boundary line nearest to the property from which the sound originates.
(6) Vibration.
A. No vibration which is discernible to the human sense of feeling shall be permitted, except for normal, but temporary, construction activities, except as otherwise permitted for I-2 Districts.
B. In an I-2 District, operations that create vibrations shall be set back from the I-2 District boundary so that any ground-transmitted steady-state or impact vibration caused by such use or activity shall not exceed the limits set forth below:
Frequency (cycles per second) | Adjacent to a Nonresidential District (displacement in inches) | Adjacent to a Residential District (displacement in inches) |
0 to 9 | .0020 | .0004 |
10 to 19 | .0010 | .0002 |
20 to 29 | .0006 | .0001 |
30 to 39 | .0004 | .0001 |
40 to 49 | .0003 | .0001 |
50 and over | .0002 | .0001 |
(7) Glare. No direct glare, whether from lights or from high-temperature processes such as combustion, welding, or the like, is permitted to be normally visible.
(8) Fire and explosive hazards.
A. The storage, handling, and use of highly combustible or explosive materials shall be permitted only in structures having incombustible exterior walls.
B. All buildings and materials shall be accessible to fire-fighting equipment, to the satisfaction of the Fire Department.
C. Any activity involving the use of flammable or explosive material shall be protected by adequate fire-fighting and fire-suppression equipment and by such safety devices as are normally used in the handling of any such material.
D. No gasoline or other flammable or explosive material shall be stored unless the location, plans, and construction of the storage facility conform to the laws and regulations of the State and have the approval of the City Fire Chief and the State Fire Marshall.
(9) Radioactive or electrical disturbance.
A. The emission of radioactive substances or electrical interference from any source is prohibited.
B. The storage of radioactive, toxic, or hazardous materials shall not be permitted.
(e) Enforcement. Where determinations can be made by the Zoning Administrator or other authorized City employee, using equipment normally available or obtainable without extraordinary expense, such determination or evaluation shall be made whenever possible before a notice of violation is issued. Where technical complexity is involved or extraordinary personnel or equipment is required to make the determination, the Zoning Administrator may, in the case of offenses under Section 1274.14, require the owner to either obtain and pay for an independent evaluation or share in the cost of an independent evaluation from a professional experienced in the particular specialty. (Ord. 75-2005. Passed 10-11-05.)