Truckee Municipal Code Ch. 9.20 General Noise Regulations

The making, allowing, creation or maintenance of loud and unreasonable, unnecessary, or unusual noises which are prolonged, unusual, annoying, disturbing and/or unreasonable in their time, place and use are a detriment to public health, comfort, convenience, safety, general welfare and the peace and quiet of the Town of Truckee and its residents and visitors. The Town Council declares the necessity in the public interest of adopting the requirements of this chapter, further declares that the provisions of this chapter are adopted for the purpose of securing and promoting the public health, comfort, convenience, safety, general welfare and property and the peace and quiet of the Town and its residents and visitors.

A. It is unlawful for any person to make, continue, or cause to be made or continued any noise disturbance. The factors which should be considered in determining whether a violation of this section exists, include the following:

1. The sound level of the objectionable noise.

2. The sound level of the ambient noise.

3. The proximity of the noise to dwelling units, hospital, hotels and the like.

4. The zoning of the area.

5. The population density of the area.

6. The time of day or night, provided that noises occurring between the hours of 10:00 pm and 7:00 am may constitute a noise disturbance even if the same noises occurring at other times of day would not constitute a noise disturbance.

7. The duration of the noise.

8. Whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent, or constant.

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

10. Whether the nature of the noise is usual or unusual.

11. Whether the noise is natural or unnatural.

B. It is unlawful for any person to make, continue, or cause to be made or continued any noise disturbance, or any noise plainly audible through partitions common to two dwelling units within a building.

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

A. Emergency work. The provisions of this title shall not apply to the emission of sound for the purpose of alerting persons to the existence of an emergency or in the performance of emergency work.

B. School events. Sanctioned school activities conducted on public or private school grounds including but not limited to school athletic and entertainment events are exempted from the provisions of this chapter conducted between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

C. Federal or State preempted activities. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any other activity the noise level of which is regulated by state or federal law which preempts local regulations.

D. Minor maintenance to residential property. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to noise sources associated with minor maintenance to property used for residential purposes, provided the activities take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

E. Right-of-way construction. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any work performed in the Town rights-of-way by the Town or pursuant to an encroachment permit issued by the Town.

F. Public health, welfare and safety activities. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to construction, maintenance, and repair operations conducted by public agencies and/or utility companies or their contractors which are deemed necessary to serve the best interests of the public and to protect the public health, welfare and safety, including but not limited to, snow removal, trash collection, street sweeping, debris and limb removal, removal of downed wires, restoring electrical service, repairing traffic signals, unplugging sewers, vacuuming catch basins, repairing of damaged poles, removal of abandoned vehicles, repairing of water hydrants and mains, gas lines, oil lines, sewers, storm drains, roads, sidewalks, etc.

G. Construction. Noise sources listed in paragraphs A and B of Section 18.44.070 of the Truckee Development Code.

H. Warning devices. Warning devices necessary for the protection of public safety, as for example fire, police, and ambulance sirens, including the testing of such devices, are exempted from the provisions of this chapter.

(ORD 2021-05, 10-12-2021)