Del Norte County Municipal Code § 7.07 Noise

In order to control unnecessary, excessive and annoying sounds emanating from unincorporated areas of the County, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the County to prohibit such sounds generated from all sources as specified in this article. It is determined that certain sound levels are detrimental to the public health, welfare and safety, and contrary to public interest.

(Ord. 22-12 (part), 2022)

The following words, phrases and terms as used in this article shall have the meaning as indicated below:

1. “Agricultural” means commercial activities consistent with the definition of “Agriculture” in section 20.04.20, on land zoned for such activities.

2. “Ambient noise level” means the all-encompassing noise level associated with a given environment, being a composite of sounds from all sources, excluding the alleged offensive noise, at the location and approximate time at which a comparison with the alleged offensive noise is to be made.

3. “Cumulative period” means an additive period of time composed of individual time segments which may be continuous or interrupted.

4. “Decibel (dB)” means a unit which denotes the ratio between two (2) quantities which are proportional to power: the number of decibels corresponding to the ratio of two (2) amounts of power is ten (10) times the logarithm to the base ten (10) of this ratio.

5. “Dwelling unit” means a single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.

6. “Emergency machinery, vehicle or work” means any machinery, vehicle or work used, employed or performed in an effort to protect, provide or restore safe conditions in the community or for the citizenry, or work by private or public utilities when restoring utility service.

7. “Fixed noise source” means a stationary device which creates sounds while fixed or motionless, including but not limited to industrial and commercial machinery and equipment, pumps, fans, compressors, generators, air conditioners and refrigeration equipment.

8. “Grading” means any excavating or filling of earth material, or any combination thereof, conducted at a site to prepare said site for construction or other improvements thereon.

9. “Impact noise” means the noise produced by the collision of one mass in motion with a second mass which may be either in motion or at rest.

10. “Mobile noise source” shall mean any noise source other than a fixed noise source.

11. “Noise level” means the "A" weighted sound pressure level in decibels obtained by using a sound level meter at slow response with a reference pressure of twenty (20) micronewtons per square meter. The unit of measurement shall be designated as dB(A).

12. “Person” means a person, firm, association, copartnership, joint venture, corporation or any entity, public or private in nature.

13. “Residential property” means a parcel of real property which is developed and used either in part or in whole for residential purposes, other than transient uses such as hotels and motels.

14. “Simple tone noise” means a noise characterized by a predominant frequency or frequencies so that other frequencies cannot be readily distinguished.

15. “Sound level meter” means an instrument meeting American National Standard Institute's Standard S1.4-1983 for Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meters or an instrument and the associated recording and analyzing equipment which will provide equivalent data.

16. “Sound pressure level of a sound, in decibels,” means twenty (20) times the logarithm to the base ten (10) of the ratio of the pressure of the sound to a reference pressure, which reference pressure shall be explicitly stated.

(Ord. 22-12 (part), 2022)

Any noise level measurements made pursuant to the provisions of this article shall be performed using a sound level meter as defined in section 7.07.20.

(Ord. 22-12 (part), 2022)

1. The following noise standards, unless otherwise specifically indicated, shall apply to all residential property within the unincorporated area of the county:

Noise Level Time Period 55 dB(A) 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. 50 dB(A) 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.

In the event the alleged offensive noise consists entirely of impact noise, simple tone noise, speech, music, or any combination thereof, each of the above noise levels shall be reduced by five (5) dB(A).

2. It shall be unlawful for any person at any location within the unincorporated area of the County to create any noise, or to allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied, or otherwise controlled by such person, when the foregoing causes the noise level, when measured on any other residential property, either incorporated or unincorporated, to exceed:

   1. The noise standard for a cumulative period of more than thirty (30) minutes in any hour; or

   2. The noise standard plus five (5) dB(A) for a cumulative period of more than fifteen (15) minutes in any hour; or

   3. The noise standard plus ten (10) dB(A) for a cumulative period of more than five (5) minutes in any hour; or

   4. The noise standard plus fifteen (15) dB(A) for a cumulative period of more than one (1) minute in any hour; or

   5. The noise standard plus twenty (20) dB(A) for any period of time.

3. In the event the ambient noise level exceeds any of the first four (4) noise limit categories above, the cumulative period applicable to said category shall be increased to reflect said ambient noise level. In the event the ambient noise level exceeds the fifth noise limit category, the maximum allowable noise level under said category shall be increased to reflect the maximum ambient noise level.

(Ord. 22-12 (part), 2022)

• 7.07.050 Interior Noise Standard

1. The following interior noise standards, unless otherwise specifically indicated, shall apply to all residential property within the unincorporated area of the county.

Noise Level Time Period 55 dB(A) 7:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m.

45 dB(A) 10:00 p.m.— 7:00 a.m.

In the event the alleged offensive noise consists entirely of impact noise, simple tone noise, speech, music, or any combination thereof, each of the above noise levels shall be reduced by five (5) dB(A).

2. It shall be unlawful for any person at any location within the unincorporated area of the County to create any noise, or to allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied, or otherwise controlled by such person, when the foregoing causes the noise level, when measured within any other dwelling unit on any residential property, either incorporated or unincorporated, to exceed:

   1. The interior noise standard for a cumulative period of more than five (5) minutes in any hour; or

   2. The interior noise standard plus five (5) db(A) for a cumulative period of more than one (1) minute in any hour; or

   3. The interior noise standard plus ten (10) db(A) for any period of time.

3. In the event the ambient noise level exceeds either of the first two (2) noise limit categories above, the cumulative period applicable to said category shall be increased to reflect said ambient noise level. In the event the ambient noise level exceeds the third noise limit category the maximum allowable noise level under said category shall be increased in reflect the maximum ambient noise level.

(Ord. 22-12 (part), 2022)

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

1. Activities conducted on the grounds of any public or private nursery, elementary, intermediate or secondary school or college.

2. On July 3rd and 4th of each year, activities associated with the celebration of Independence Day.

3. Activities conducted on any beach, park or playground which is owned and operated by a public entity.

4. Any mechanical device, apparatus or equipment used, related to or connected with emergency machinery, vehicle or work.

5. Noise sources associated with construction, repair, remodeling, or grading of any real property, provided said activities do not take place between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, including Saturday, or at any time on Sunday or a Federal holiday.

6. All mechanical devices, apparatus or equipment which are utilized for the protection or salvage of agricultural crops during periods of potential or actual frost damage or other adverse weather conditions.

7. Mobile noise sources associated with agricultural operations, provided such operations do not take place between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, including Saturday, or any time on Sunday or a Federal holiday.

8. Noise sources associated with agricultural pest control, provided that any pesticide application is made in accordance with restricted material permits issued by or regulations enforced by the Agricultural commissioner.

9. Noise sources associated with the maintenance of real property, provided said activities take place between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on any day except Sunday or a Federal holiday, or between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Sunday or a Federal holiday.

10. Any activity to the extent regulation thereof has been preempted by State or Federal law.

(Ord. 22-12 (part), 2022)

The location selected for measuring exterior noise levels shall be at any point on the affected property. Interior noise measurements shall be made within the affected dwelling unit. The measurement shall be made at a point at least four (4) feet from the wall, ceiling, or floor nearest the alleged offensive noise source and may be made with the windows of the affected unit open.

(Ord. 22-12 (part), 2022)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Each day such violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such. The provisions of this article shall not be construed as permitting conduct not prescribed herein and shall not affect the enforceability of any other applicable provisions of law.

(Ord. 22-12 (part), 2022)