Sacramento Municipal Code Art. II Noise Standards

A. The following noise standards unless otherwise specifically indicated in this article shall apply to all agri-cultural and residential properties.

1. From seven a.m. to ten p.m. the exterior noise standard shall be fifty-five (55) dBA.

2. From ten p.m. to seven a.m. the exterior noise standard shall be fifty (50) dBA.

B. It is unlawful for any person at any location to create any noise which causes the noise levels when measured on agricultural or residential property to exceed for the duration of time set forth following, the specified exterior noise standards in any one hour by:

C. Each of the noise limits specified in subsection B of this section shall be reduced by five dBA for impulsive or simple tone noises, or for noises consisting of speech or music.

D. If the ambient noise level exceeds that permitted by any of the first four noise limit categories specified in subsection B of this section, the allowable noise limit shall be increased in five dBA increments in each category to encompass the ambient noise level. If the ambient noise level exceeds the fifth noise level category, the maximum ambient noise level shall be the noise limit for that category. (Prior code § 66.02.201)

A. In any apartment, condominium, townhouse, duplex or multiple dwelling unit it is unlawful for any person to create any noise from inside his or her unit that causes the noise level when measured in a neighboring unit during the periods ten p.m. to seven a.m. to exceed:

• 1. Forty-five (45) dBA for a cumulative period of more than five minutes in any hour;
• 2. Fifty (50) dBA for a cumulative period of more than one minute in any hour;
• 3. Fifty-five (55) dBA for any period of time.

B. If the ambient noise level exceeds that permitted by any of the noise level categories specified in subsection A of this section, the allowable noise limit shall be increased in five dBA increments in each category to encompass the ambient noise level. (Prior code § 66.02.202)

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

A. School bands, school athletic and school entertainment events. School entertainment events shall not include events sponsored by student organizations;

B. Activities conducted on parks and public playgrounds, provided such parks and public playgrounds are owned and operated by a public entity;

C. Any mechanical device, apparatus or equipment related to or connected with emergency activities or emergency work;

D. Noise sources due to the erection (including excavation), demolition, alteration or repair of any building or structure between the hours of seven a.m. and six p.m., on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and between nine a.m. and six p.m. on Sunday; provided, however, that the operation of an internal combustion engine shall not be exempt pursuant to this subsection if such engine is not equipped with suitable exhaust and intake silencers which are in good working order. The director of building inspections, may permit work to be done during the hours not exempt by this subsection in the case of urgent necessity and in the interest of public health and welfare for a period not to exceed three days. Application for this exemption may be made in conjunction with the application for the work permit or during progress of the work;

E. Noise sources associated with agricultural operations provided such operations take place between the hours of six a.m. and eight p.m.; provided, however, that the operation of an internal combustion engine shall not be exempt pursuant to this subsection if such engine is not equipped with suitable exhaust and intake silencers which are in good working order;

F. Any mechanical device, apparatus or equipment which are utilized for the protection or salvage of agri-cultural crops during period of adverse weather conditions or when the use of mobile noise sources is necessary for pest control; provided, however, that the operation of an internal combustion engine shall not be exempt pursuant to this subsection if such engine is not equipped with suitable exhaust and intake silencers which are in good working order;

G. Noise sources associated with maintenance of street trees and residential area property provided said activities take place between the hours of seven a.m. and six p.m.;

H. Tree and park maintenance activities conducted by the city department of parks and community services; provided, however, that use of portable gasoline-powered blowers within two hundred (200) feet of residential property shall comply with the requirements of Section 8.68.150 of this chapter;

I. Any activity to the extent provisions of Chapter 65 of Title 42 of the United States Code, and Articles 3 and 3.5 of Chapter 4 of Division 9 of the Public Utilities Code of the state of California preempt local control of noise regulations and land use regulations related to noise control of airports and their surrounding geographical areas, any noise source associated with the construction, development, manufacture, maintenance, testing or operation of any aircraft engine, or of any weapons system or subsystems which are owned, operated or under the jurisdiction of the United States, any other activity to the extent regulation thereof has been preempted by state or federal law or regulation;

J. Any noise sources associated with the maintenance and operation of aircraft or airports which are owned or operated by the United States.

K. Any noise sources associated with the operation of a city waste collection vehicle or franchised waste hauler vehicle. (Ord. 2026-0003 § 1; Ord. 2010-021 § 10; prior code § 66.02.203)

A. Any industrial or commercial facility in existence prior to the effective date of this chapter shall be allowed a one year period commencing on said date within which to comply with this chapter.

B. During said one year period all such facilities shall make reasonable efforts to be in compliance and to reduce noise which exceeds the standards specified in this chapter. Commencing at the end of one year after the effective date of this chapter, any such facility shall be subject to all applicable requirements of this chapter.

C. If any facility which is not in compliance by the end of said one year period applies for a variance pursuant to Section 8.68.260 of this chapter, in deciding whether to grant a variance the hearing board shall take into account the extent to which the applicant has endeavored to reduce noise during said one year period to meet the standards specified in this chapter.

D. This section applies only to a commercial or industrial facility already in existence or for which the work of improvement had commenced prior to the effective date of this chapter.

E. As used in this section "industrial facility" means any building, structure, factory, plant, premises or portion thereof used for manufacturing or industrial purposes and "commercial facility" means any building, structure, premise or portion thereof used for wholesale or retail commercial purposes. (Prior code § 66.02.204)

A. It is unlawful for any person use a sound amplifier in a public place or upon any public sidewalk, street, alley, highway, or other public right-of-way of the city within 100 feet of a health care facility during its hours of operation. The distance is measured from the property line of the property upon which the health care facility is located.

B. Subsection A shall not apply when the person operating the sound amplifier is a law enforcement officer, member of the fire department, or other public safety officer in the performance of official duties. (Ord. 2023-0007 § 3; Prior code § 66.02.205)

A. It is unlawful for any person to operate any residential fans, air conditioners, stationary pumps, stationary cooling towers, stationary compressors, similar mechanical device or any combination thereof installed after the effective date of this chapter in any manner so as to create any noise which would cause the maximum noise level to exceed:

1. Sixty (60) dBA at any point at least one foot inside the property line of the affected residential or agricultural property and three to five feet above ground level;

2. Fifty-five (55) dBA in the center of a neighboring patio three to five feet above ground level;

3. Fifty-five (55) dBA outside of the neighboring living area window nearest the equipment location, measurements shall be taken with the microphone not more than three feet from the window opening but at least three feet from any other surface.

B. Equipment installed five years after the effective date of this chapter must comply with a maximum limit of fifty-five (55) dBA at any point at least one foot inside the property line of the affected residential or agricultural property and three to five feet above ground level.

C. Equipment installed before the effective date of this chapter must comply with a limit of sixty-five (65) dBA maximum sound level, at any point at least one foot inside the property line of the affected agricultural or residential property and three to five feet above ground level after the effective date of this chapter. (Prior code § 66.02.206)

It is unlawful for any person to operate any motorcycle or recreational off-road vehicle on or off a public road in such a manner that the noise level exceeds the exterior noise standards specified in Section 8.68.060 of this chapter. (Prior code § 66.02.207)

A. When a large party or gathering occurs at a premises and a police officer at the scene determines that there is a threat to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare, the person(s) in charge of the premises and the person(s) responsible for the event, or if any of those persons are minors, then the parent(s) or guardian(s) of those minors will be held jointly and severally liable for the cost of providing police personnel on special security assignment over and above the services normally provided by the department to respond to such events. The police personnel utilized during a second response after the first warning to control the threat to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare shall be deemed to be on special security assignment over and above the services normally provided. The costs of such special security assignment may include minor damages to city property and/or injuries to city personnel.

B. The fee charged will not be in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00) for a single incident. No fee shall be assessed unless a written warning has been issued by police personnel during the first response. The city reserves its legal options to elect any other legal remedies when said costs or damage exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00).

C. The expense of services provided by special security assignment officers shall be charged against the person liable for the expenses under this section. The charge constitutes a debt of that person to the city, and is collectible by said city in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under a contract, express or implied. (Prior code § 66.02.209)

A. Outdoor recreational activities involving amplified sound, including, but not limited to, athletic events, sporting events, entertainment events and concerts, may create excessive noise which is detrimental to the public health, safety, welfare and the peace and quiet of the inhabitants of the city and its environs.

B. Prevailing weather conditions within the city, including temperature inversions, cause the sounds of out-door activities to bounce in varying directions and reach varying residential locations at different times, sometimes close to the source of sound and sometimes farther away, sometimes in one direction from the sound source and sometimes in another direction. These conditions are particularly acute during the months of September and October.

C. The city's existing noise regulations, which require extended off-site measurements of the sound rather than measurements at its source, are very cumbersome and expensive to enforce, especially in connection with outdoor recreational activities.

D. Studies by the environmental health division of the Sacramento County environmental management department conclude that imposing a volume limit of ninety-six (96) dba leq measured at the sound booth or other reasonable location within one hundred fifty (150) feet of the source of amplified sound at an outdoor activity is generally equivalent to the limits already imposed by the city's noise regulations which measure sound levels off-site, in that it is substantially likely that sound levels in excess of ninety-six (96) dba leq will result in many violations of provisions of this chapter, while sound levels of ninety-six (96) dba leq or lower are likely to result in few such violations.

E. Limiting sound levels of outdoor activities to ninety-six (96) dba leq and requiring amplified sound not to be used at outdoor activities after ten p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, and after eleven p.m. at other times, is necessary to protect the public health, safety, welfare and the peace and quiet of the inhabitants of the city and its environs.

F. A sound level of ninety-six (96) dba is as loud as or louder than a refuse truck three feet from the listener, a jet plane taking off one thousand (1000) feet from the listener, or a train horn one hundred (100) feet from the listener.

G. Limiting sound levels at the source is content neutral. It helps to avoid the problem of complaints being received, and therefore measurements being made and enforcement undertaken, only in connection with certain kinds of activities, or certain kinds of music, which some people may consider objectionable and not other kinds of activities or music which may be just as loud.

H. A variance procedure can be devised to raise the sound limit or modify the time restrictions upon a showing that a facility, because of its design, location or other characteristics, is capable of handling higher sound levels or later activities without substantially increasing the likelihood that violations of the other provisions of this chapter will occur. (Prior code § 66.02.210)

A. It is unlawful for any person to conduct, or permit to be conducted on its property, any outdoor recreational activity, including, but not limited to, athletic events, sporting events, entertainment events and concerts at which amplified noise, amplified music, or amplified sound exceeding the following levels is created: 96 dba leq during the months of September and October; 98 dba leq during the months of November through August. The noise, music or sound shall be measured at the sound booth or other reasonable location which is not more than 150 feet from the source. Every person conducting, or permitting to be conducted, on its property, any outdoor recreational activity shall permit the city manager or designee to place a sound level meter (with or without an accompanying staff member) at a location described in this subsection to monitor sound levels.

B. Time Limits.

1. Sunday through Thursday. Except as provided in subsection (B)(2) of this section, the amplified sound associated with the outdoor activities described in subsection A of this section shall commence not earlier than nine a.m. and shall be terminated no later than ten p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

2. Friday, Saturday and the Day Before Specified Holidays. The amplified sound associated with the outdoor activities described in subsection A of this section shall commence not earlier than nine a.m. and shall be terminated no later than eleven p.m. on Friday, Saturday and the day before the specified holidays listed below. For purposes of this provision, the specified holidays are the holidays specified in Government Code Sections 6700 and 6701, as those sections may be amended from time to time. (Ord. 2023-0007 § 4; Prior code § 66.02.211)

In addition to the special condition permits authorized by section 8.68.250 and the variances authorized by section 8.68.260 of this chapter, the operator of any outdoor activity may seek approval to deviate from any or all of the following: (a) the maximum sound limits, (b) the time limits, or (c) the requirement for the place of sound measurement as set forth in section 8.68.160, on the grounds that due to the nature or design of the operator's facility or its location, it is capable of handling a higher sound level or amplified sound ending at a later time without substantially increasing the likelihood that violations of any other standards set forth in this chapter will occur. As part of the application, the applicant shall submit a report of the sound-related characteristics of the facility prepared by an acoustical engineer, and shall pay an application fee set by resolution of the city council.

A. Applications Filed after July 1, 1995. Applications filed after July 1, 1995 shall be heard and decided pursuant to the following procedures:

1. Applications. An application to deviate from the foregoing requirements of section 8.68.160 which is filed after July 1, 1995 shall be heard and decided by the planning and design commission, and shall be subject to the general requirements applicable to applications for planning and design commission conditional use permits as set forth in chapter 17.808.

2. Hearing Procedure. A public hearing shall be held by the planning and design commission. Notice of the public hearing shall be given in the same manner as notice is given of a hearing on a planning and design commission conditional use permit. Notice of the hearing shall also be given by publication in at least one newspaper of general circulation at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing.

3. Approval. The planning and design commission may approve an application to deviate from the maximum sound limit, time limits, or place of sound measurement requirements if it finds that, due to the nature, design or location of the operator's facility, it is capable of handling a higher sound level or an amplified sound ending at a later time or having the sound measured at a different location without substantially increasing the likelihood that violations of any other standards set forth in this chapter will occur and that approval of the application will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare as it relates to noise. The planning and design commission may impose such conditions as may be necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this chapter and to protect the public health, safety or welfare as it relates to noise. The planning and design commission shall adopt findings and render its decision in the same manner that it decides applications for conditional use permits.

4. Appeal. Any person dissatisfied with the decision of the planning and design commission on an application to deviate from the maximum sound limit, time limits or place of sound measurement requirements of section 8.68.160 may appeal that decision to the city council by filing a notice of appeal with the city clerk pursuant to section 1.24.010. Any appeal shall be filed within ten days of the date of the planning and design commission decision. The city clerk shall thereafter notice the matter for hearing before the city council by publishing notice of the hearing on the appeal in at least one newspaper of general circulation at least seven days prior to the hearing and by sending written notice by mail to appellant(s) and the applicant at least seven days prior to the date of the hearing of the appeal.

5. Modification or Revocation of Approval of Deviation. An approval to deviate from the requirements of section 8.68.160 shall be subject to modification or revocation by the planning and design commission in the same manner as a conditional use permit pursuant to the provisions of chapter 17.808.

B. Applications Filed on or Before July 1, 1995. An application to deviate from the requirements of section 8.68.160 filed on or before July 1, 1995 shall be heard and decided by the city manager pursuant to the following procedures:

1. Procedure. No public hearing by the city manager shall be required. The city manager may approve an application to deviate from the maximum sound limit, time limits, or place of sound measurement requirements if the manager finds that, due to the nature, design or location of the operator's facility, it is capable of handling a higher sound level or an amplified sound ending at a later time or having the sound measured at a different location without substantially increasing the likelihood that violations of any other standards set forth in this chapter will occur and that approval of the application will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare as it relates to noise. The city manager may impose such conditions as may be necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this chapter and to protect the public health, safety or welfare as it relates to noise.

2. Notice. After the city manager's decision on the application, the city manager shall provide written notice by mail to all owners of real property shown on the latest equalized assessment roll within a radius of 300 feet of the real property which is the subject of the application. In lieu of the assessment roll, the city manager may utilize records of the county assessor or tax collector which contains more recent information than the assessment roll. The notice shall advise the owners of the nature of the deviation sought and the decision of the city manager and of the owner's right to appeal the decision of the city manager to the city council within ten days of the date of the notice. The city manager shall also publish notice of the decision in at least one newspaper of general circulation.

3. Appeal. Any person dissatisfied with the decision of the city manager on an application to deviate from the maximum sound limit, time limits or place of sound measurement requirements of section 8.68.160 may appeal that decision to the city council by filing a notice of appeal with the city clerk pursuant to section 1.24.010. Any appeal shall be filed within ten days of the date of the city manager's decision. The city clerk shall thereafter notice the matter for hearing before the city council by publishing notice of the hearing on the appeal in at least one newspaper of general circulation at least seven days prior to the hearing and by sending written notice by mail to appellant(s) and the applicant at least seven days prior to the date of the hearing of the appeal.

4. Modification or Revocation of Approval of Deviation. An approval to deviate from the requirements of section 8.68.160 shall be subject to modification or revocation by the planning and design commission in the same manner as a conditional use permit pursuant to the provisions of chapter 17.808. (Ord. 2013-0021 § 19; Ord. 2012-004 § 23; prior code § 66.02.212)

A. It is unlawful for any person to operate any portable gasoline-powered blower on residential property or within two hundred (200) feet of residential property, except between the hours of nine a.m. and six p.m. Monday through Saturday and between the hours of ten a.m. and four p.m. on Sunday.

B. It is unlawful for any person to operate any portable gasoline-powered blower on residential property or within two hundred (200) feet of residential property during the hours permitted by subsection A of this section if the blower creates noise exceeding the following specified levels measured at a distance of fifty (50) feet from the blower:

1. Blowers purchased or otherwise acquired between May 15, 1992, and November 15, 1995, shall not exceed seventy (70) dba.

2. Blowers purchased or otherwise acquired after November 15, 1995, shall not exceed sixty-five (65) dba.

3. Blowers in use on or before the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter or purchased or otherwise acquired before May 15, 1992, shall not exceed seventy (70) dba after November 15, 1993. (Prior code § 66.02.213)