Imperial County Municipal Code Ch. 2 Limits

A. It is unlawful for any person to cause noise by any means to the extent that the applicable one-hour average sound level set out in the following table is exceeded, at any location in the county of Imperial on or beyond the boundaries of the property on which the noise is produced.

Total of Applicable Limits

B. The sound level limit between two zoning districts (different land uses) shall be measured at the property line between the properties.

C. Fixed-location public utility distribution or transmission facilities located on or adjacent to a property line shall be subject to the noise level limits of subsection A of this section, measured at or beyond six feet from the boundary of the easement upon which the equipment is located.

D. This section does not apply to firework displays authorized by permit from the fire department, or other regulatory agency.

E. This section does not apply to noise generated by helicopters at heliports or helistops authorized by a conditional use permit.

F. This section does not apply to noise generated by standard agricultural field operating practices such as planting and harvesting of crop. The county of Imperial has a Right to Farm Ordinance (1031) which serves as recognition to agricultural practices to new development. Agricultural/industrial operations shall comply with the noise levels prescribed under the general industrial zones.

G. This section shall not apply to any activity performed by a city or the county in the discharge of a governmental function or responsibility provided that such city or the county has applied reasonable noise mitigation.

(Prior code § 90702.00)

A. Except as otherwise provided for in this article, it is unlawful to operate any motor vehicle of any type on any site, other than a public street or highway as defined in the California Vehicle Code, in any manner so as to cause noise in excess of these noise levels permitted for on-highway motor vehicles as specified in the table for "45 mile-per-hour or less speed limits" contained in Section 23130 of the California Vehicle Code, and as corrected for distances set forth in Table 1 below.

B. Corrections. The maximum noise level as the vehicle passes may be measured at a distance of other than fifty (50) feet from the center line of travel, provided the measurement is further adjusted by adding algebraically the applicable correction, as follows:

TABLE 1

C. A measured noise level thus corrected shall be deemed in violation of this section if it exceeds the applicable noise level as specified above.

D. Nothing in this section shall apply to authorized emergency vehicles when being used in emergency situations, including the blowing of sirens, and/or horns.

(Prior code § 90702.01)

Violations for excessive noise of watercraft operating in waters under the jurisdiction of the county of Imperial shall be prosecuted under applicable provisions of the California Harbors and Navigation Code. The county of Imperial shall restrict the operation of watercraft not in compliance with the noise criteria of the Harbors and Navigation Code.

(Prior code § 90702.02)

No person shall operate or permit to be operated a refuse compacting, processing or collecting vehicle or parking lot sweeper between the hours or ten p.m. to five a.m. in any residential area unless an administrative permit has been applied for and granted by the planning department after date of public notice.

(Prior code § 90702.03)