Grand Terrace Municipal Code Ch. 8.108 Noise

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 366, § 8, adopted May 13, 2025, repealed the former Ch. 8.108, §§ 8.108.010—8.108.130, and enacted a new Ch. 8.108 as set out herein. The former Ch. 8.108 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 99, §§ 1—6 adopted in 1986; and Ord. No. 271, §§ 4—7, adopted Sept. 10, 2013.

It is the intent of this Chapter to protect properties within the City and the health and safety of persons from environmental nuisances and hazards and provide a pleasing environment throughout the City by providing an acceptable noise environment for existing and future residents within the city. The city seeks to accomplish this by establishing the following:

A. A community noise standard that specifies acceptable noise limits for various land uses and activities; and

B. Measures to minimize noise impacts from transportation-related noise sources; and

C. Measures to minimize noise impacts from non-transportation related noise sources.

(Ord. No. 366, § 8, 5-13-2025)

"A-weighted sound level (dB(A))" means an A-weighted sound level is the sound pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound level meter using the A-weighted filter network. The A-weighting filter de-emphasizes the very low and very high frequency components of the sound in a manner similar to the response of the human hearing system and provides good correlation with subjective reactions to noise.

"Community noise equivalent level (CNEL)" means the average equivalent A-weighted sound level during a 24-hour day, obtained after the addition of five decibels to sound levels occurring during the evening from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and addition of ten decibels to sound levels occurring during the night from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The five and ten decibel penalties are applied to account for increased noise sensitivity during the evening and nighttime hours. The CNEL is not measured, but is computed.

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

"Day-night average level (Ldn)" means the average equivalent A-weighted sound level during a 24-hour day obtained after the addition of ten decibels to sound levels occurring during the nighttime from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The ten-decibel penalty is applied to account for increased noise sensitivity during the nighttime hours. The Ldn represents the daily energy noise exposure averaged on an annual basis.

"Hearing board" means the board appointed by city council as arbitrators of the Grand Terrace Municipal Code to review and determine violations, nuisances, abatement procedures, and penalties of this chapter.

"Motor-driven vehicle" shall include but is not limited to, any automobile, truck, van, bus, motorcycle, minibike, go-cart or other self-propelled vehicle, on or off road.

"Noise" means any sound that exceeds the limitations set herein.

"Noise level" means the A-weighted sound pressure level in decibels audible to humans obtained by using a sound level meter. The unit of noise level measurement shall be designated as dB(A).

"Person" means a person, firm, association, co-partnership, joint venture, corporation, or any entity, public or private in nature.

"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.

"Simple tone noise" means a noise characterized by a predominant frequency, or frequencies so that other frequencies cannot be readily distinguished.

(Ord. No. 366, § 8, 5-13-2025)

A. Notwithstanding any specified noise level, it shall be unlawful for any person to willfully make or continue, or cause to be made or continued, any loud, unnecessary, unusual, excessive or unreasonable noise that disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood within the City or which causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivities in ownership, or control of any premises to knowingly permit a violation of this Section upon said premises.

B. Any Law Enforcement Officer, Code Enforcement Officer, or other employee or official designated by the City Manager who hears excessive noise or sound as defined in this Chapter that is plainly audible, in violation of this Chapter, may enforce this Chapter and shall assess the noise or sound according to the following standards:

1. The primary means of detection shall be by means of the official's normal hearing faculties, not artificially enhanced.

2. The official shall first attempt to have a direct line of sight and hearing to the vehicle or real property from which the sound or noise emanates so that the official can readily identify the offending source of the sound or noise and the distance involved. If the official is unable to have a direct line of sight and hearing to the vehicle or real property from which the sound or noise emanates, then the official shall confirm the source of the sound or noise by approaching the suspected vehicle or real property until the official is able to obtain a direct line of sight and hearing, and confirm the source of the sound or noise that was heard at the place of the original assessment of the sound or noise.

3. The official need not be required to identify words, song titles, artists, or lyrics in order to establish a violation.

(Ord. No. 366, § 8, 5-13-2025)

A. There is exempted from the provisions of this Chapter the use of horns, sirens or other signaling or warning devises by persons vested with legal authority to use the same and in pursuit of their lawful duties, such as on ambulances, fire, police and other governmental or official vehicles.

B. Emergency type land uses, emergency response vehicles, and emergency notification measures shall be considered as normally acceptable measures and exempt from violations and or penalties.

C. Government events, sponsored events, and public works projects.

D. Utility company projects, repairs and work.

E. Special events and community events approved by the City.

F. Religious institutions and religious related activities and events approved by the City.

G. Public schools and school related activities and events.

H. Railroad operations and locomotives, including train whistles, horns, and warning signals, in compliance with applicable federal, state, or local regulations.

I. Collection of refuse by City contracted waste hauler.

J. Traditional residential yard landscaping maintenance activities (i.e., mechanical sweeping, mechanical grass cutting, mechanical blowing and similar activities) that occur between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

K. Traditional residential automotive repair activities (i.e., oil changes, brake jobs, minor automotive body or fender or other work on metal objects and metal parts) that occur between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

L. Testing and operation during a power outage of backup generators on residential and commercial properties that adhere to applicable zoning and building setbacks.

M. Air conditioning units and pool equipment on residential properties that adhere to applicable zoning and building setbacks.

(Ord. No. 366, § 8, 5-13-2025)

In addition to the exemptions provided for in Section 8.108.030, the following activities shall be exempted from the provisions of this Chapter:

A. City or school approved activities conducted on public parks, public playgrounds and public or private school grounds including but not limited to athletic and school entertainment events between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

B. Noises produced by mechanical devices, apparatus or equipment used, related to, or connected with emergency machinery, vehicles, work or warning alarm or bell, provided the sounding of any bell or alarm on any building or motor vehicle shall terminate its operation within 30 minutes in any hour of its being activated.

C. All devices, apparatus or equipment associated with agricultural operations provided as follows:

1. Operations shall not take place between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

2. Such operations and equipment are utilized for protection or salvage of agricultural crops during periods of potential or actual frost damage or other adverse weather conditions.

3. Such operations and equipment associated with agricultural pest control through pesticide application provided the application is made in accordance with permits issued or regulations enforced by the California Department of Agriculture.

D. Noise associated with the maintenance of real property shall not take place between the hours of sunset and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, and between the hours of sunset and 9:00 a.m. on weekends.

(Ord. No. 366, § 8, 5-13-2025)

Violations of this Chapter is an infraction.

(Ord. No. 369, § 28, 7-22-2025; Ord. No. 366, § 8, 5-13-2025)

The following noises are prohibited and declared to be nuisances between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. shall include but not be limited to the following, unless otherwise states in a conditional use permit or site and architectural review permit:

A. Peddlers Use of Loud Noise to Advertise Goods. No peddler or mobile vendor or any person on their behalf shall shout, cry out or use any device or instrument to make sounds for the purpose of advertising in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance.

B. Animal Noises. No person owning or having the charge, care, custody or control of any dog or other animal or fowl shall allow the same to howl, bark, yelp or make other noises in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance.

C. Loud and Boisterous Yelling, Shouting, Whistling or Singing. No person shall yell, shout, whistle or sing in a loud and boisterous manner on the public streets so as to disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of persons in any office, dwelling, hotel or other type of residence or neighborhood.

D. Radios, Television Sets, Musical Instruments, Phonographs and Similar Devices. No person shall use, operate or permit to be played, used or operated any radio receiving set, television set, musical instrument, phonograph or other machine or device for producing or reproducing sound in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet or comfort of neighboring persons, or at any time with louder volume than is necessary for the convenient hearing of the person or persons who are in the room, vehicle or other enclosure in which such machine or device is operated, and who are voluntary listeners thereto.

E. Sounding of Whistles, Horns, Bells, or Other Such Devices. No person shall make or cause to be made the loud, sudden and unnecessary blowing of whistles, sounding of horns, ringing of bells or use of signaling devices by operators of railroad locomotives, motor trucks and other transportation equipment.

F. Loading or Unloading of Trucks. No person shall create or cause to be created loud and excessive noise in connection with the loading or unloading of motor trucks and other vehicles, so as to disturb the peace and quiet of adjacent residential neighborhoods.

G. Operation of Equipment. The operation or use of any pile driver, steam shovel, pneumatic hammers, derrick, steam or electric hoist, power driven saw, forklifts, milling equipment, other tools or apparatus the use of which is attended by loud and excessive noise, or the movement of tractors, tractor trucks, or large trucks on property adjacent to residences is prohibited.

The following noises are prohibited and declared to be nuisances between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. shall include but not be limited to the following, unless otherwise states in a conditional use permit or site and architectural review permit:

A. Nonresidential Maintenance Activities. Nonresidential maintenance activities in landscape and parking areas (i.e., mechanical sweeping, mechanical grass cutting, mechanical blowing) in a manner that would cause a noise disturbance to a residential zoning district.

B. Nonresidential Automotive Repair Works. No person shall do automotive repair, automotive body or fender or other work on metal objects and metal parts.

(Ord. No. 366, § 8, 5-13-2025)

A. Normally Acceptable. Specified land use activities that are satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any land use or building involved are of ordinary performance standards.

B. Conditionally Acceptable. Activities or Actions shall be undertaken only after a detailed analysis of the noise reduction (muffling) requirements is made and noise reduction insulation features are included as a preventive measure.

C. Normally Unacceptable. Noise levels exceeding the following ranges shall generally be discouraged. If new activities or actions proceed, a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements must be made and necessary noise insulation features included in the design.

D. Clearly Unacceptable. Activities shall not be undertaken or permitted.

Table 8.108.080 Performance Standards

(Ord. No. 366, § 8, 5-13-2025)

Where a new development proposal includes a mix of residential and nonresidential uses within the same project, the normally acceptable noise standard for the residential component of the project may be increased by five decibels when the noise exceeds the standards established by the performance standards.

(Ord. No. 366, § 8, 5-13-2025)

Where a new development proposal includes an infill single-family residential use, the normally acceptable noise standard for the proposal may be increased by five decibels when the noise exceeds the standards established by the performance standards.

(Ord. No. 366, § 8, 5-13-2025)

A. Any noise level measurement, made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, shall be determined by using a sound level meter that meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard Institute for sound level meters, or by using an equivalent instrument with associated recording and analyzing equipment that provides equivalent data.

B. Noise readings shall be taken at the receptor's/generator's property line and the receptor's building setbacks to verify noise levels as categorized in Section 8.108.060 of this Chapter.

C. Irrespective of whether the noise originates within the City or outside the City, the standard that may be considered in determining whether excessive noise exists in violation of the provision of Section 8.108.020 may include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Whether the noise can be heard over 100 feet from the property line where the source of the noise is located;

2. The level of the noise;

3. Whether the nature of the noise is usual or unusual;

4. Whether the origin of the noise of natural or unnatural;

5. The level and intensity of the background noise, if any;

6. The proximity of the noise to residential sleeping facilities;

7. The nature and zoning of the area within which the noise emanates;

8. The density of the inhabitation of the area within which the noise emanates or is heard in;

9. The time of the day and night the noise occurs;

10. The duration of the noise, including whether it is of a temporary or short-term nature;

11. Whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent, or constant;

12. Whether the noise is produced by a commercial or noncommercial activity;

13. Whether the noise produces vibrations that are felt or heard; and

14. Whether the noise level exceeds any noise level as specified in Section 8.108.060.

D. These factors shall be considered in addition to the noise levels set forth in Section 8.108.060 in determining a violation. Noises do not necessarily need to exceed those noise level limits to be considered unnecessary, or unusual so as to cause hearing loss, speech interference, sleep interference, physiological responses, or annoyance to persons in the area. This shall be determined by the city manager, or their designee on a case by case basis.

(Ord. No. 366, § 8, 5-13-2025)

Violations of this Chapter shall be enforced and be punishable as set forth in Chapter 1.16 (General penalties) of the Grand Terrace Municipal Code.

(Ord. No. 366, § 8, 5-13-2025)

Any violation of this Chapter is a public nuisance and may be abated in accordance with law pursuant to Chapter 8.04 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 366, § 8, 5-13-2025)