(A) Purpose
The requirements and guidelines regarding noise and vibration impacts are intended to protect residentially zoned properties or properties with existing residential uses located within nonresidential zones (residential properties) from excessive and unnecessary noises and/or vibrations from any sources in abutting industrial or commercially zoned properties. Design of new projects should reduce noise from parking, loading, and refuse storage areas and from heating, ventilation, air conditioning apparatus, and other machinery on nearby residential properties. New equipment, whether mounted on the exterior of the building or located interior to a building, which requires only a building permit, shall also be subject to these requirements.
(B) Requirements
(i) All projects shall comply with Chapter 9.10 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (the Noise Ordinance).
(ii) Noise-producing equipment, including but not limited to generators, pumps, and air conditioning compressors, shall be located out of setbacks where abutting or within 50 feet of residential properties, and shall be screened from view from the residential property.
(iii) At the time of building permit issuance for new construction or for installation of any such interior or exterior mechanical equipment, the applicant shall submit an acoustical analysis by an acoustical engineer demonstrating projected compliance with the Noise Ordinance. The analysis shall be based on acoustical readings, equipment specifications and any proposed sound reduction measures, such as equipment enclosures or insulation, which demonstrate a sufficient degree of sound attenuation to assure that the prescribed noise levels will not be exceeded.
(iv) Upon completion of construction or installation, the city shall, where the acoustical analysis projected noise levels at or within 5 dB less than the Noise Ordinance limits, require demonstration of the installed equipment and certification that it complies with the anticipated noise levels and the Noise Ordinance prior to final building inspection approval.
(C) Guidelines
(i) Projects adjacent to major arterials, railroad tracks and more intensive land uses should include, but not be limited to, the following: sound walls, solid board fencing, and additional landscaping where appropriate to reduce noise impacts on usable open space.
(ii) Parking areas, driveways, loading docks, mechanical equipment, trash enclosures, on- site recreation areas and similar noise generating elements should be sited as far away from residential property as is reasonably possible. When conditions require noise generating elements to be sited within close proximity to residential property, noise mitigation measures should be implemented as deemed suitable by staff or the architectural review board. These measures may include the following:
(a) Placement of building mass, and/or concrete or masonry walls at the residential property line or around the noise generating element;
(b) Elimination of site access close to residential sites where other access is available;
(c) Installation of an earth berm and landscape buffers where appropriate;
(d) Discouragement of the use of open air loudspeakers and compliance with the city’s loudspeakers ordinance (Chapter 9.12 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code).
(iii) Auxiliary power sources should be included and used at loading docks so that there is no needless engine idling of delivery trucks with refrigerator or other engine-powered equipment. These sources should be shown on drawings submitted for building permits.
(iv) All uses within 150 feet of a residential property should be operated as not to generate vibration discernible without instruments at or beyond the lot line upon which the source is located or within adjoining enclosed space if more than one establishment occupies a structure. Vibration caused by motor vehicles, trains, and temporary construction or demolition work is exempted from this standard.
(Ord. 5554 § 22, 2022: Ord. 4933 § 4 (part), 2007)