Chapter 10.28
LOUD AND UNREASONABLE NOISE*
Sections:
10.28.007 Loud and Unreasonable Noise is Prohibited.
10.28.010 Loud and Unreasonable Noise.
10.28.020 Loud and Raucous Noise from Sound-Making or Amplifying Devices Prohibited.
10.28.040 Construction Activity—Noise Regulations.
10.28.045 Real Property Maintenance—Noise Regulations.
* Sound-amplifying equipment—See Chapter 10.32.
Prior history: 1949 Code § 4208; Ords. 1191, 1802, 87-11, 87-17 and 93-7.
10.28.005 Policy.
It is found and declared as follows:
A. 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 City and its inhabitants.
B. The necessity in the public interest for the provisions and prohibitions contained and enacted is to declare as a matter of legislative determination and public policy, and it is further declared that the provisions and prohibitions contained and enacted are in pursuance of and for the purpose of securing and promoting the public health, comfort, convenience, safety, general welfare and property and the peace and quiet of the City and its inhabitants. (Ord. 2001-4 § 1, 2001)
10.28.007 Loud and Unreasonable Noise is Prohibited.
It is unlawful for any person or property owner to make, continue, cause or allow to be made any loud, unreasonable, unusual, penetrating or boisterous noise, disturbance or commotion which annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace and quiet within the limits of the City, and the acts and things listed in this chapter, among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing, injurious and unreasonable noises in violation of this Chapter, but shall not be deemed to be exclusive. (Ord. 2001-4 § 2, 2001)
10.28.010 Loud and Unreasonable Noise.
It is unlawful for any person or property owner to willfully make, allow, continue or cause to be made, allowed, or continued, any loud and unreasonable, unnecessary, or disturbing noise, including, but not limited to, yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, singing, playing music, or playing a musical instrument, which disturbs the peace, comfort, quiet or repose of any area or which causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivities in the area, after a peace or code enforcement officer has first requested that the person or property owner cease and desist from making or continuing, or causing to make or continue, such loud, unreasonable, unnecessary, excessive or disturbing noise.
The factors, standards, and conditions which should be considered in determining whether a violation of the provisions of this section has been committed, include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. The level of the noise;
B. Whether the nature of the noise is usual or unusual;
C. Whether the origin of the noise is natural or unnatural;
D. The level and intensity of the background (ambient) noise, if any;
E. The proximity of the noise to residential or commercial sleeping areas;
F. The nature and zoning of the area within which the noise emanates;
G. The density of inhabitation of the area within which the noise emanates;
H. The time of day and night the noise occurs;
I. The duration of the noise;
J. Whether the noise is constant, or recurrent or intermittent; and
K. Whether the noise is produced by a commercial or noncommercial activity;
L. If the noise is produced by a commercial activity, whether the use is lawful under the provisions of Title 20 of this Code and whether the noise is one that could reasonably be expected from the commercial activity. (Ord. 2023-22 § 450, 2023; Ord. 2001-4 § 3 (part), 2001: Ord. 95-38 § 3 (part), 1995)
10.28.020 Loud and Raucous Noise from Sound-Making or Amplifying Devices Prohibited.
A. It is unlawful for any person to cause, allow or permit the emission or transmission of any loud or raucous noise from any sound-making or sound-amplifying device in his possession or under his control:
1. Upon any private property; or
2. Upon any public street, alley, sidewalk or thoroughfare; or
3. In or upon any public park, beach or other public place or property.
B. The words “loud and raucous noise,” as used herein, shall mean any sound or any recording thereof when amplified or increased by any electrical, mechanical or other device to such volume, intensity or carrying power as to unreasonably interfere with the peace and quiet of other persons within or upon any one or more of such places or areas, or as to unreasonably annoy, disturb, impair or endanger the comfort, repose, health, or safety of other persons within or upon any one or more such places or areas.
C. The word “unreasonably,” as used herein, shall include, but not be limited to, consideration of the hour, place, nature and circumstances of the emission or transmission of any such loud and raucous noise. (Ord. 2023-22 § 451, 2023; Ord. 2001-4 § 3 (part), 2001: Ord. 95-38 § 3 (part), 1995)
10.28.040 Construction Activity—Noise Regulations.
A. No person shall, while engaged in construction, remodeling, digging, grading, demolition, painting, plastering or any other related building activity, operate any tool, equipment or machine in a manner which produces loud noise that disturbs, or could disturb, a person of normal sensitivity who works or resides in the vicinity, unless authorized to do so in accordance with subsection (B) of this section.
B. The provisions of subsection (A) of this section shall not apply to the following:
1. Work performed on any weekday, which is not a Federal holiday, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
2. Work performed on a Saturday, in any area of the City that is not designated as a high-density area, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
3. Emergency work performed pursuant to written authorization of the Community Development Director.
4. Maintenance, repair or improvement of any public work or facility by public employees, by any person or persons acting pursuant to a public works contract, or by any person or persons performing such work or pursuant to the direction of, or on behalf of, any public agency; provided, however, this exception shall not apply to the City, or its employees, contractors or agents, unless:
a. The City Manager or department director determines that the maintenance, repair or improvement is immediately necessary to maintain public services;
b. The maintenance, repair or improvement is of a nature that cannot feasibly be conducted during normal business hours; or
c. The City Council has approved project specifications, contract provisions, or an environmental document that specifically authorizes construction during hours of the day which would otherwise be prohibited pursuant to this section.
C. No landowner, construction company owner, contractor, subcontractor, or employer shall permit or allow any person or persons working under their direction and control to operate any tool, equipment or machine in violation of the provisions of this section.
D. Designated High-Density Area. The term “designated high-density area” shall mean any shaded area on the map on file in the City Clerk’s office designated as a high-density area (High Density Map). The geographical boundaries of a homeowners’ association, as defined in subsection (E) of this section, shall be excluded from the definition of a “designated high-density area” if the City Council adopts a resolution pursuant to subsection (E) of this section.
E. A homeowners’ association located within a designated high-density area may exclude the geographical boundaries of the homeowners’ association from the definition of a designated high-density area if:
1. The board of directors of the homeowners’ association votes to approve a resolution or letter declaring its desire to exempt its geographical boundaries from the definition of a designated high-density area;
2. The board of directors submits the approved resolution or letter to the City Clerk for consideration by the City Council; and
3. The City Council adopts a resolution finding that exempting the geographical boundaries of the homeowners’ association from the definition of a designated high-density area will not negatively affect surrounding property owners.
For the purpose of this subsection, a “homeowners’ association” means an organization consisting of at least thirty (30) voting members whose properties connect in a contiguous manner and whose operation is governed by a board of directors. (Ord. 2023-22 § 452, 2023; Ord. 2019-11 §§ 1, 2, 2019; Ord. 2019-9 § 1, 2019: Ord. 2013-11 § 35, 2013; Ord. 2001-4 § 3 (part), 2001: Ord. 95-38 § 3 (part), 1995)
10.28.045 Real Property Maintenance—Noise Regulations.
A. Weekdays and Saturdays. No person shall, while engaged in maintenance of real property, operate any tool, equipment or machine in a manner which produces loud noise that disturbs, or could disturb, a person of normal sensitivity who works or resides in the vicinity, except between the hours of seven a.m. and six-thirty p.m., Monday through Friday, nor on any Saturday, except between the hours of eight a.m. and six p.m.
B. Sundays and Holidays. No person shall, while engaged in maintenance of real property, operate any tool, equipment or machine in a manner which produces loud noise that disturbs, or could disturb, a person of normal sensitivity who works or resides in the vicinity, on any Sunday or any federal holiday.
C. No landowner, gardener, property maintenance service, contractor, subcontractor or employer shall permit or allow any person or persons working under their direction and control to operate any tool, equipment or machine in violation of the provisions of this section.
D. Mechanical blowers, as defined in Section 6.04.040, shall not be operated at a noise level that exceeds an A-weighted sound pressure level of sixty-five (65) dBA, as measured from a distance of fifty (50) feet.
E. Exceptions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following:
1. Emergency property maintenance authorized by the Community Development Director;
2. The maintenance, repair or improvement of any public work or facility by public employees, by any person or persons acting pursuant to a public works contract, or by any person or persons performing such work or pursuant to the direction of, or on behalf of, any public agency; provided, however, this exception shall not apply to the City of Newport Beach, or its employees, contractors or agents, unless:
a. The City Manager or department director determines that the maintenance, repair or improvement is immediately necessary to maintain public service,
b. The maintenance, repair or improvement is of a nature that cannot feasibly be conducted during normal business hours,
c. The City Council has approved project specifications, contract provisions, or an environmental document that specifically authorizes construction during hours of the day which would otherwise be prohibited pursuant to this section;
3. Greens maintenance on golf courses conducted between the hours of six a.m. and eight p.m. and all other types of golf course maintenance between the hours of seven a.m. and eight p.m., provided no maintenance activity commences before six a.m. (Ord. 2023-22 § 453, 2023; Ord. 2019-15 § 7, 2019; Ord. 2019-9 § 2, 2019; Ord. 2001-4 § 3 (part), 2001: Ord. 95-38 § 3 (part), 1995)
10.28.050 Exceptions.
The provisions of Sections 10.28.040 and 10.28.045 shall not be construed to prohibit such work at different hours by or under the direction of any other public agency in cases of necessity or emergency. (Ord. 2001-4 § 3 (part), 2001: Ord. 95-38 § 3 (part), 1995)