Chapter 7.6 Noise and Lighting Standards
7.6.10 Purpose of this Chapter
The purpose of this Chapter is to establish development standards to prevent undesirable noise and light and glare resultant from land use and development activity. Further regulation of noise and lighting related public nuisances are found in Article 4.
7.6.20 Applicability of this Chapter
This Chapter applies to all land uses and activities in the City of La Habra Heights regardless of the applicable Zone District.
7.6.30 Performance Standards for Noise Control and Light and Glare
Noise generation and lighting must conform to the following performance standards indicated in this Section.
A. Light Trespass. All new and existing development must control and limit light and glare and light trespass as a means to preserve the night-time skies that contribute to the City’s community character.
B. Objectionable Noise. No noise source, type, or level sufficient to cause distress to, or be unpleasant to, a person of reasonable sensitivity shall be allowed at any time.
7.6.40 Development Standards for Noise Control
This Section establishes noise standards applicable to all development in the City. The following sections implement the City of La Habra Heights General Plan goals and policies related to noise control.
A. Noise Attenuation in Design. All development shall be planned and designed in such a manner so as to ensure that it promotes the maintenance of a quiet environment.
B. Exterior Noise Standards. Except as provided in Section 7.6.40.C, no noise level shall exceed the noise levels listed in Table 7-3 as measured at any property line of the parcel on which the noise source is located. Pure tones must be mitigated to a level of 10 dBA, CNEL, below the maximum exterior threshold levels listed in Table 7-3. Additionally, no noise source, type or level sufficient to cause distress or be unpleasant to a person of reasonable sensitivity shall be allowed at any time. In addition to the standards outlined in this Section, construction and stationary noise must adhere to the requirements specified in Article 4.
|
Land Use |
Time Interval |
Max. Exterior Noise Level (in dBA, CNEL) |
|---|---|---|
|
Residential-Agricultural |
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. |
45 dBA |
|
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. |
50 dBA |
|
|
Public Facilities |
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. |
50 dBA |
|
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. |
65 dBA |
|
|
Institutional Uses |
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. |
45 dBA |
|
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. |
50 dBA |
|
|
Resource Production |
24-hours a day |
55 dBA |
|
Construction Noise |
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
65 dBA |
C. Cumulative Exterior Noise Standards. Noise may be permitted at levels greater than that specified in Table 7-3 if the cumulative standards shown in Table 7-4 are not exceeded.
|
Amount of Time Noise Levels Can Exceed Base Value (Table 7-3) During Any One Hour Period |
dBA added to the Base Value Specified in Table 7-3 |
|---|---|
|
15 minutes |
5 dB(A) |
|
5 minutes |
10 dB(A) |
|
1 minute |
15 dB(A) |
|
Absolute Maximum (not to be exceeded at any time) |
20 dB(A) |
7.6.50 Development Standards for Light and Glare Control
The following sections implement the City of La Habra Heights General Plan goals and policies related to light and glare for new development.
A. Lighting Plans. All development applications for approval of new residential construction must include an outdoor lighting plan submitted as part of the development application. For all other development applications, lighting plans are required at the discretion of the Community Development Director and shall not be required when no new exterior lighting or modifications to existing exterior lighting are proposed. Outdoor sport courts shall have an outdoor lighting plan as part of the applicable Conditional Use Permit application if outdoor lighting is proposed.
B. Limit Light Trespass. All outdoor light fixtures shall limit light trespass and glare through the use of shielding, directional lighting, timers, motion detectors, or other means to prevent skyward lighting. All exterior lights shall be designed, located, installed and directed to prevent objectionable light trespass or glare across property lines. Landscaping may be required in areas where plantings can reduce glare at the discretion of the Community Development Director.
C. Outdoor Lighting. External lighting fixtures must not create any objectionable light trespass or spillover impacts. This lighting may not remain on all night and if equipped with motion sensors must be adjusted so as not to create an annoyance.
D. Driveway and Parking Area Lighting. Lighting fixtures located along driveways and parking areas shall be fitted with glare shields or be cut-off type fixtures.
E. Lighting Levels Standards. Light trespass shall be minimized by designs that comply with the following requirements:
1. No more than 0.25 footcandles measured at a point located five (5) feet inside any adjacent property.
2. Lighting fixtures and wall packs shall be mounted in such a manner to direct the light away from any adjacent property.
3. All other lighting shall be arranged to direct the light away from any adjacent property.
4. All exterior lighting visible from off-site must be equipped with motion detectors and all decorative lighting and game court lighting must be equipped with automatic timer switches, to ensure that the lighting is turned off when not in use.
F. Residential Outdoor Lighting Standards. Outdoor light fixtures for residential use including, but not limited to, outdoor recreation, decorative lighting and parking shall be fully shielded to prevent light trespass. The following minimum requirements shall apply.
1. Exterior lighting pole height, other than those used for game court lighting, shall not exceed ten (10) feet.
2. No more than two lights shall be located on gates or entry area onto property.
3. No exterior lighting may be directed off-site.
4. Light poles for game court lighting may not exceed fifteen (15) feet above the ground surface.
G. Nonresidential Outdoor Lighting Standards. Outdoor light fixtures for nonresidential use including, but not limited to, outdoor recreation, parking, resource production, institutional uses, etc., shall be fully shielded to prevent light trespass beyond the immediate area in which the activity is conducted. The following minimum requirements shall apply.
1. All outdoor lighting fixtures not attached to a building wall (wall packs) shall be limited to no more than fifteen (15) feet in height.
2. All lighting fixtures must be fully shielded with the light cone restricted to the area of the use.
3. Light intensity, beyond that needed for safety, must be mitigated through a variety of means including the use of non-reflective surfaces to prevent reflected light. (Ord. 2015-01 §§ 10, 11)