SEC. 7-185. EXTERIOR SOUND STANDARDS.

   (A)   The following standards, unless otherwise specifically indicated, shall apply to all property within the designated sound zone:

 

Sound Zone	Type of Land Use	Allowable Exterior Sound Level
		7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.	10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
I	Residential	55 dBA	50 dBA
II	Commercial	65 dBA	60 dBA
III	Industrial	70 dBA	70 dBA
IV	As identified in Figure IX-2 of the 2020 General Plan

 

   (B)   Each of the sound levels specified shall be reduced by five dBA for impulse sound and simple tone noise, or for sounds consisting of speech or music, provided, however, that if the ambient sound level exceeds the allowable exterior sound level, the ambient sound level shall be the standard.

   (C)   No person at any location within the city shall create, maintain, cause or allow any sound on property which causes the sound level, when measured on any other property, to exceed:

      (1)   The allowable exterior sound level for a cumulative period of more than 30 minutes in any hour;

      (2)   The allowable exterior sound level plus five dBA for a cumulative period of more than 15 minutes in any hour;

      (3)   The allowable exterior sound level plus ten dBA for a cumulative period of more than five minutes in any hour;

      (4)   The allowable exterior sound level plus 15 dBA for a cumulative period of more than one minute in any hour; or

      (5)   The allowable exterior sound level plus 20 dBA for any period of time.

   (D)   In the event the ambient sound level exceeds any of the first four sound level categories in subsection (C) above, the allowable exterior sound level applicable to the category shall be increased to reflect ambient sound level. In the event the ambient sound level exceeds the fifth category, the maximum allowable exterior sound level under the category shall be increased to reflect the maximum ambient sound level.

   (E)   If the measurement location is on a boundary between two different sound zones, the lower allowable exterior sound level applicable to the sound zone shall apply.

   (F)   If the intruding sound level is continuous and cannot be reasonably discontinued or stopped for a time period whereby the ambient sound level may be determined, then the measured sound level obtained while the sound source is in operation shall be compared directly to the allowable exterior sound level. The allowable exterior sound level shall be the one applicable to the type of land use at the location of the measurement and the time of day.

   (G)   The reasonableness of temporarily discontinuing the sound generated by an intruding sound source shall be determined by the director for the purpose of establishing the existing ambient sound level at the measurement location.

(`64 Code, Sec. 19-60.6) (Ord. No. 2292)

SEC. 7-186. INTERIOR SOUND STANDARDS.

   (A)   The following standards, unless otherwise specifically indicated, shall apply to all residential property within all sound zones:

 

Sound Zone	Type of Land Usage	Allowable Interior Sound Level
		7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.	10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
All	Residential	50 dBA	45 dBA

 

   (B)   The sound level specified above shall be reduced by five dBA for impulse sound or simple tone noise or for sounds consisting of speech or music provided, however, that if the ambient exterior sound level exceeds the allowable interior sound level, then the ambient exterior sound level shall be the standard.

   (C)   No person at any location within the city shall create, maintain, cause or allow any sound on property which causes the sound level when measured within any dwelling unit in any sound zone to exceed:

      (1)   The allowable interior sound level for a cumulative period of more than five minutes in any hour; or

      (2)   The allowable interior sound level plus five dBA for a cumulative period of more than one minute in any hour; or

      (3)   The allowable interior sound level plus ten dBA for any period of time.

   (D)   In the event the ambient exterior sound level exceeds any of the first two sound level categories above, the allowable interior sound level applicable to those categories shall be increased to reflect the maximum ambient sound level.

   (E)   If the measurement location is on a boundary between two different sound zones, the lower allowable interior sound level applicable to the sound zone shall apply.

   (F)   If the intruding sound is continuous and cannot reasonably be discontinued or stopped for a time period whereby the ambient exterior sound level may be determined, the same procedures specified in section 7-185(F) and (G) shall be followed prior to enforcement of the provisions of this section.

(`64 Code, Sec. 19-60.7) (Ord. No. 2292)

SEC. 7-187. SOUND LEVEL MEASUREMENT.

   (A)   When the location selected for measuring a sound level is within the affected dwelling unit, the measurement shall be made at a point at least four feet from the wall, ceiling or floor nearest the sound source with windows in an open position depending on the normal seasonal ventilation requirements.

   (B)   When the location selected for measuring a sound level is outside a dwelling unit, the measurement shall be taken at the property line of the site from which the sound emanates.

   (C)   When the location selected for measuring a sound level is on public property, the measurement shall be taken 100 feet from the sound source.

(`64 Code, Sec. 19-60.8) (Ord. No. 2292)

SEC. 7-188. EXEMPTIONS FOR SPECIFIED ACTIVITIES.

   The following specified activities shall be exempted from the provisions of this article.

   (A)   Activities for which a permit or license has been issued and conducted on public parks, public playgrounds, or public or private school grounds, including school athletic and school entertainment events which are conducted under the sanction of the school.

   (B)   Outdoor gatherings, public dances, shows, sporting or entertainment events, provided the activity is conducted pursuant to a permit or license.

   (C)   Any mechanical device, apparatus or equipment used, related to or connected with emergency machinery, vehicle, work or alarm, provided the sounding of any alarm on any building or motor vehicle shall terminate within 30 minutes in any hour of being activated.

   (D)   Sound sources associated with or created by construction, repair, remodeling or grading of any real property or during authorized seismic surveys, provided the activities occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, including Saturday.

   (E)   All mechanical devices, apparatus, or equipment associated with agriculture operations provided:

      (1)   Operations occur between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays, including Saturday;

      (2)   Operations are for the protection or salvage of agricultural crops during periods of potential or actual frost damage or other adverse weather conditions; or

      (3)   Operations are intended for agricultural pest control through pesticide application, provided the application is made in accordance with permits issued by or regulations enforced by the California Department of Agriculture.

   (F)   Sounds associated with the maintenance of real property, provided the activities occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day except Sunday and between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. Required city services shall be allowed to conduct routine maintenance of real property or emergency-related function before 7:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. on any day.

   (G)   Sounds associated with the maintenance and inspection of emergency machinery, vehicle, work or alarm provided the activities occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

   (H)   Broadcasting from any aircraft, motor vehicle or fixed sound-amplifying equipment or the use of a radio, tape player, tape recorder, compact disc player, record player or television, in the course of an assembly, festival or parade for which a license or permit has been issued.

(`64 Code, Sec. 19-60.9) (Ord. No. 2292)

SEC. 7-189. AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS.

   Until January 1, 1995, the sound standards enumerated in sections 7-185 and 7-186 shall be increased ten dBA where the alleged intruding sound source is an air conditioning or refrigeration system or associated equipment which was installed prior to the effective date of this article.

(`64 Code, Sec. 19-60.10) (Ord. No. 2292)

SEC. 7-190. BROADCASTING IN CERTAIN AREAS.

   Except as allowed by section 7-188, no person shall broadcast:

   (A)   Within 300 feet of any school or church or other place of religious worship, when in session, or any hospital; or

   (B)   On any public street between the hours 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. of the following day.

(`64 Code, Sec. 19-60.10.5) (Ord. No. 2413)

SEC. 7-191. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.

   Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any person violating this article on public property shall be guilty of an infraction and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $50 for a first violation; a fine not exceeding $100 for a second violation within one year; and a fine not exceeding $250 for each additional violation within one year.

(`64 Code, Sec. 19-60.11) (Ord. No. 2292)

SEC. 7-192. VIOLATION.

   (A)   Any sound exceeding the sound level standards as specified herein shall be deemed to be a violation of the provisions of this article.

   (B)   No citation or notice to appear shall be issued or criminal complaint shall be filed for a violation of this article unless the alleged offending party is first given a verbal or written notification of violation by any peace officer, public officer, park ranger, or other person assigned to enforce this article and the alleged offending party is given an opportunity to correct the reason for the violation.

   (C)   The property owner shall be notified in writing and mailed a copy of this article whenever any action, including a verbal or written warning, is instituted to enforce this article on private property.

(`64 Code, Sec. 19-60.12) (Ord. No. 2292)