9.54.040 Exterior Noise Limits.
A. Unless otherwise specifically indicated in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person at any location within the City to create, or cause to be created, any noise that exceeds the applicable exterior noise limit as described below:
| Receiving land use | Time | Noise level not to be exceeded for more than 30 minutes per hour (dBA) |
|---|---|---|
Residential | 7 AM – 10 PM 10 PM – 7 AM | 50 40 |
Commercial | Any time | 60 |
B. The exterior noise limit shall be adjusted as follows:
| Condition | Adjustment to exterior limit (dBA) |
|---|---|
Noise contains a steady, discordant tone such as a whine or screech | -5 |
Noise is repetitive or impulsive (e.g., hammering, riveting) | -5 |
Noise consists of speech or music | -5 |
Noise occurs more than fifteen but less than thirty minutes per hour | +5 |
Noise occurs more than five but less than fifteen minutes per hour | +10 |
Noise occurs more than one but less than five minutes per hour | +15 |
Noise occurs less than one minute per hour | +20 |
C. If the ambient noise level is less than that permitted by subsection (A) of this section, then the measured ambient noise level plus five dBA shall be considered the “exterior noise limit,” but in no case shall the noise level exceed the maximum permitted by subsection (A) of this section.
D. If the ambient noise level exceeds that permitted by subsection (A) of this section, then the measured ambient level shall be considered the “exterior noise limit.”
E. For the purposes of this chapter, schools, hospitals and convalescent homes shall be considered residential land uses. (Ord. 1048 § 2, 2020; Ord. 1030 § 2(7), 2018; Ord. 697 § 1 (part), 1983)