Monterey Municipal Code § 22-18 Same -- Certain noises prohibited

a. Definitions.

1.“Emergency” refers to a situation arising from a sudden and unforeseen event such as an earthquake, flood, fire, storm, or similar event that poses a serious threat to the public safety, or any unforeseen event that results in an unanticipated power outage beyond the control of a property owner or occupant of a building or facility within the City of Monterey.

2.“Emergency generator” means a stationary device permanently installed and connected to a building or facility’s electrical system that serves solely as a secondary source of electrical power during power outages that are beyond the control of the owner, occupant, or operator of the building or facility. An emergency generator operates only during emergency situations, for training of personnel under simulated emergency conditions, as part of emergency demand response procedures, or for standard performance testing procedures as required by law or by the generator’s manufacturer.

b.No person, unless otherwise stated in this section, shall cause, suffer, permit, or allow the repeated or persistent emission of any noise or sound produced by any such person, by an animal or fowl or through any mechanical means within their ownership, possession, or control, which by reason of its raucous nature habitually disturbs the peace and quiet of any person.

c. Exceptions: Noise in Emergency Situations -- Emergency Generators and Other Equipment.

1.Noise generated by any emergency response necessary to address health or safety risks, including but not limited to noise generated by emergency generators utilized during power outages.

2.Noise generated by any standby machinery or equipment used to alleviate the threat to public health, safety and property in emergency situations, including but not limited to: portable emergency generators, chain saws or other tree trimming or tree removal equipment used to abate hazards caused by trees or other vegetation damaged during storms or other natural disasters. (Ord. 3683 § 3, 2024)

a. Definitions.

1.“Leaf blower” means any portable power equipment designed or operated to produce a current of air powered by fuel, electricity, or other means to push, propel, or blow dust, dirt, sand, leaves, grass clippings, trimmings, shrubs, or other debris.

2.“Residential lot” means any lot zoned R-1 (single-family), R-2 (residential low-density multifamily dwelling), R-3 (residential medium-density multifamily dwelling), or R-E (residential estate).

3.“Person” is as defined in Section 1-1.01 and also includes an owner of real property, tenant in possession of real property, or person in control of real property; and an owner or operator of a gardening, landscape maintenance, or similar service, and their employees or agents.

b. Prohibited Use.After January 1, 2021, no person shall use, allow, or authorize:

1.Any fuel powered leaf blower use within any residential lot.

2.Any leaf blower use before 8:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. (Ord. 3628 § 3, 2020)