§ 13-280. Exterior noise standards

(a) The following noise standards, unless otherwise specifically indicated, shall apply to all residential property within the city:

RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR NOISE STANDARDS

Noise Level	Time Period
55 dB(A)	7:00 a.m.—11:00 p.m.
50 dB(A)	11:00 p.m.—7:00 a.m.

 

In the event the alleged offensive noise consists entirely of impact noise, simple tone noise, speech, music, or any combination thereof, each of the above noise levels shall be reduced by five (5) dB(A).

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person at any location within the city to create any noise, or to allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied, or otherwise controlled by such person, when the foregoing causes the noise level, when measured on any other residential property, either within or outside the city, to exceed:

(1) The noise standard for a cumulative period of more than thirty (30) minutes in any hour;

(2) The noise standard plus five (5) dB(A) for a cumulative period of more than fifteen (15) minutes in any hour;

(3) The noise standard plus ten (10) dB(A) for a cumulative period of more than five (5) minutes in any hour;

(4) The noise standard plus fifteen (15) dB(A) for a cumulative period of more than one (1) minute in any hour; or

(5) The noise standard plus twenty (20) dB(A) for any period of time.

(c) In the event the ambient noise level exceeds any of the first four noise limit categories above, the cumulative period applicable to said category shall be increased to reflect said ambient noise level. In the event the ambient noise level exceeds the fifth noise limit category, the maximum allowable noise level under said category shall be increased to reflect the maximum ambient noise level.

(d) The exterior noise standards shown in subsection (a) shall not apply to the following exterior areas of multi-family residential development or live/work units located within a mixed-use overlay district where the base zoning district is nonresidential, approved pursuant to a master plan, and subject to the land use regulations of an urban plan:

(1) Private balconies or patios regardless of size;

(2) Private or community roof decks/roof terraces;

(3) Internal courtyards and landscaped walkways that do not include resident-serving, active recreational uses such as community pool, spa, tennis courts, barbeque, and picnic areas.

(e) In high-rise residential developments in the North Costa Mesa Specific Plan, the exterior noise standards shown in subsection (a) shall only apply to the common outdoor recreational amenity areas located on the ground level. Recreational amenity areas located above the ground level and private balconies and patios shall be exempt from this standard.

(Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 06-9, § 1k., 4-18-06 ; Ord. No. 07-2, § 1m., 2-6-07 )