South Pasadena Municipal Code Art. 2 Special Noise Sources

19A.7 Radios, television sets and similar devices.

(a) USE RESTRICTED. It is unlawful for any person within any residential zone of the city to use or operate any radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, television set, or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound between the hours of ten p.m. of one day and seven a.m. of the following day in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring residents or any reasonable person of normal sensitiveness residing in the area.

(b) PRIMA FACIE VIOLATION. Any noise exceeding the ambient noise level at the property line of any property (or, if a condominium or apartment house, within any adjoining apartment) by more than five decibels shall be deemed to be prima facie evidence of a violation of the provisions of this section. (Ord. No. 1582.)

19A.8 Hawkers and peddlers.

It is unlawful for any person within the city to sell anything by outcry within any area of the city zoned for residential uses. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the selling by outcry of merchandise, food, and beverages at licensed sporting events, parades, fairs, circuses, and other similar licensed public entertainment events. (Ord. No. 1582.)

19A.9 Drums.

(a) USE RESTRICTED. It is unlawful for any person to use any drum or other instrument or device of any kind for the purpose of attracting attention by the creation of noise within the city. This section shall not apply to any person who is a participant in an official school band or duly licensed parade or who has been otherwise duly authorized by the city manager to engage in such conduct. (Ord. No. 1582.)

19A.10 Schools, hospitals and churches.

It is unlawful for any person to create any noise on any street, sidewalk, or public place adjacent to any school, institution of learning, or church while the same is in use or adjacent to any hospital, which noise unreasonably interferes with the workings of such institution or which disturbs or unduly annoys patients in the hospital, provided conspicuous signs are displayed in such streets, sidewalk or public place indicating the presence of a school, church, or hospital. (Ord. No. 1582.)

19A.11 Animals and fowl.

No person shall keep or maintain, or permit the keeping of, upon any premises owned, occupied, or controlled by such person any animal or fowl otherwise permitted to be kept which, by any sound, cry, or behavior, shall cause annoyance or discomfort to a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness in any residential neighborhood. (Ord. No. 1582.)

19A.12 Machinery, equipment, fans and air-conditioning.

It is unlawful for any person to operate any machinery, equipment, pump, fan, air-condition apparatus, or similar mechanical device in any manner so as to create any noise which would cause the noise level at the property line of any property to exceed the ambient noise level by more than five decibels based on a reference sound pressure of 0.0002 microbars, as measured in any octave band center frequency, in cycles per second, as follows: 63, 125, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, and 8,000 and for the combined frequency bands, “(A)” band. This regulation does not apply to utilities performing emergency work. (Ord. No. 1582.)

19A.12.1 Power yard maintenance equipment—Definitions.

For the purposes of SPMC 19A.12.3 through 19A.12.5, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

(a) “Leaf blower” means a machine, powered by a gasoline engine or electric motor, which uses a concentrated stream of air to blow, displace, or vacuum leaves, grass clippings, dirt, and/or other debris or material.

(b) “Lot” means an area of real property within the city as defined in Chapter 36 SPMC, zoning ordinance of the city.

(c) “Power yard maintenance equipment” means any gasoline or electric powered engine-driven device or machine used primarily for the maintenance of lawns, shrubs, trees or other landscaping. Such devices include, but are not limited to, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, string trimmers, edgers, hedge trimmers, and chain saws. (Ord. No. 1996, § 1; Ord. No. 2130, §§ 1, 2; Ord. No. 2357, § 1, 2021.)

19A.12.2 Repealed by Ordinance No. 2130.

19A.12.3 Power yard maintenance equipment—Permitted hours of operation.

Power yard maintenance equipment shall be operated only between the following hours:

• (a) Monday through Friday, eight a.m. to seven p.m.

• (b) Saturday, nine a.m. to seven p.m.

• (c) Sunday and holidays, ten a.m. to seven p.m. (Ord. No. 1996, § 1; Ord. No. 2130, § 4; Ord. No. 2201, § 1, 2010.)

19A.12.4 Leaf blowers —Regulation of use.

(a) Commencing October 1, 2022, it is prohibited for any property owner (including the city) or tenant or any employee, agent, or contractor working for a property owner or tenant to operate or authorize the operation of a gas-powered leaf blower at any time for any purpose. The property owner or tenant, whichever person is responsible for authorizing the use of a gas-powered leaf blower, shall be responsible for violations of this section. The use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers approved by California Air Resources Board (CARB) shall be allowed until October 1, 2022.

(b) The property owner or tenant, whichever person is responsible for authorizing the use of a gas-powered leaf blower, shall be responsible for violations of this section. Until October 1, 2022, all gasoline-powered leaf blowers shall prominently display a city issued decal/seal verifying its status as approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

(c) Commencing October 1, 2022, the following shall be exempt from the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section:

(1) Leaf blowers (gas-powered or electrically powered) utilized by emergency responders for the purpose of responding to an emergency, or necessary to restore, preserve, protect or save lives or property from imminent danger of loss or harm.

(2) Leaf blowers (gas-powered or electrically powered) used to clear downed trees in areas needing expedient clearance for the safety of the public.

(d) During the grace period following the enactment of revisions and up to the October 1, 2022, effective date, the city of South Pasadena will work with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and community organizations to provide outreach, education, and resources for commercial property owners, tenants, and homeowners. Outreach including the following will also extend to independent gardeners and large commercial grounds maintenance companies which may include, but not be limited to:

(1) Webinars, field workshops, print and digital informational materials, direct outreach including letters and door hangers, city web page, public service announcements, and a city phone number to call for ordinance details.

(e) As of October 1, 2022, no leaf blower shall be operated in a manner that directs dust and debris onto any neighboring parcel, storm drain, public property, or public street.

(f) Commencing October 1, 2010, no business license shall be issued to any gardener and/or landscaper without proof of purchase of a leaf blower(s) allowed under subsection (a) of this section and a signed declaration that the company will not use prohibited leaf blowers in the city.

(g) The full blower nozzle extension shall be used for maximum efficiency and to minimize the spread of dust.

(h) After leaf blower use, debris and waste materials shall be disposed of in the appropriate disposal receptacle or any other equivalent container.

(i) Leaf blowers shall be in proper working order and all manufacturers’ noise and dust control equipment on the leaf blower shall remain on the blower and be in operating condition.

(j) Notwithstanding any other provision in this code, it is unlawful for any person to operate any leaf blower in any manner so as to create a maximum noise level of 65 decibels when measured from a distance of 50 feet from the equipment being used. (Ord. No. 1996, § 1; Ord. No. 2130, § 5; Ord. No. 2192, § 1, 2009; Ord. No. 2357, § 2, 2021.)

19A.12.5 Power yard maintenance equipment—Violation and penalty.

No person, whether as principal, agent, employee or otherwise, shall violate, cause the violation or otherwise fail to comply with the provisions of SPMC 19A.12.1 through 19A.12.4. Any violation of SPMC 19A.12.1 through 19A.12.4 shall be punishable as follows:

(a) For the first violation, the city manager or his/her designee, upon determination that a violation of this chapter has occurred, shall issue a written warning notice to the person which authorizes the use of gas-powered leaf blowers which will specify the violation and the appropriate penalties in the event of future violations.

• (b) Thereafter, the following schedule shall apply:

• (1) A fine not exceeding $100.00 for the second violation;

• (2) A fine not exceeding $200.00 for the third violation;

(3) A fine not exceeding $500.00 for the fourth and any subsequent violation that occurs. (Ord. No. 1996, § 1; Ord. No. 2130, § 6; Ord. No. 2201, § 3, 2010; Ord. No. 2357, § 3, 2021.)