ARTICLE 90
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

25-90-1: INTENT AND PURPOSE:

A. Performance standards are designed to minimize and mitigate the environmental impacts of existing and proposed land uses within a community. Environmental impacts include noise, air quality, glare, heat, waste disposal, and runoff control. Performance standards protect the health and safety of workers, nearby residents, and businesses, and prevent damaging effects to surrounding properties.

B. The performance standards contained in this article shall apply to all land uses, including permanent and temporary uses. (Ord. #1563, §3)

25-90-2: NOISE:

A. Measurement: Noise will be measured with a sound level meter which meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) section SI4-1979, type 1 or type 2. Noise levels shall be measured using the “A” weighted sound pressure level scale in decibels (reference pressure = 20 micronewtons per meter squared). The unit of measure shall be designated as dBA. The city engineer shall be the noise control officer.

B. Standards:

1. The noise standards contained in figure 5.1-1, “land use compatibility matrix for community noise exposure”, in the noise element of the general plan (page 5-5) shall apply to land uses citywide and shall be used to define acceptable and unacceptable noise levels.

2. No person shall operate or cause to be operated any source of sound at any location or allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by such person, which causes the noise level, when measured on any other property, either incorporated or unincorporated, to exceed:

a. The noise standard plus three (3) dBA for that receiving land use specified in figure 5.1-1 of the general plan noise element for a cumulative period of more than thirty (30) minutes in any hour; or

b. The noise standard plus five (5) dBA for a cumulative period of more than five (5) minutes in any hour; or

c. The noise standard plus ten (10) dBA for a cumulative period of more than three (3) minutes in any hour; or

d. The noise standard plus fifteen (15) dBA for a cumulative period of more than one minute in any hour; or

e. The noise standard plus twenty (20) dBA for any period of time.

3. If the measured ambient level exceeds any of the first four (4) noise limit categories above, the allowable noise exposure standard shall be increased to reflect the ambient noise level. If the ambient noise level exceeds the fifth noise limit category, the maximum allowable noise level under this category shall be increased to reflect the maximum ambient noise level.

4. If the alleged offense consists entirely of impact noise or simple tone noise, each of the noise levels in subsection B2 of this section shall be reduced by five (5) dBA.

C. Exempt Noises: Except as provided in this municipal code, the following sources of noise are exempt from the standards contained in subsection B of this section:

1. Motor vehicles subject to regulation under the California Vehicle Code.

2. Emergency equipment, vehicles, and devices. (Ord. #1563, §3)

25-90-3: VIBRATION:

A. Standard: No ground vibration shall be allowed which can be felt without the aid of instruments at or beyond the subject property line, nor will any vibration be permitted which produces a particle velocity greater than or equal to two-tenths inch (0.2") per second measured at or beyond the lot line.

B. Measurement: Vibration velocity shall be measured with a seismograph or other instrument capable of measuring and recording displacement and frequency, particle velocity, or acceleration. Readings are to be made at points of maximum vibration along any lot line next to a lot within a residential, commercial, or industrial land use district.

C. Exempt Vibrations: Except as provided in this municipal code, the following sources of vibration are not regulated by this zoning code:

1. Motor vehicles subject to regulation under the California Vehicle Code. (Ord. #1563, §3)

25-90-4: LIGHTS:

All lights and glare associated with operations and illuminated signs shall be shielded or directed so as to not illuminate adjacent properties or cause glare to motorists. (Ord. #1563, §3)

25-90-5: SMOKE:

No operation or activity is permitted to have operations which emit excessive smoke, fumes, or dust, or which exceed the requirements or levels as specified by the air quality management district (AQMD). (Ord. #1563, §3)

25-90-6: MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT:

All such equipment, including air conditioners, antennas, pumps, transformers, and heating and ventilating equipment, shall be located and operated in a manner that does not disturb adjacent uses and activities. Typical equipment (air conditioners, heat pumps, pool filters, etc.) used for residential service installed and operated in conformance with manufacturer’s guidelines and the requirements of this zoning code shall be exempt from this requirement. (Ord. #1563, §3)

25-90-7: ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE:

No operation or activity shall transmit, generate, or otherwise cause any electrical, magnetic, or electromagnetic radiation disturbance that affects the operation of any use, equipment, or process employed by any use beyond the boundary of the site. (Ord. #1563, §3)

25-90-8: FIRE OR EXPLOSIVE HAZARD:

All operations or activities shall conform with the minimum requirements of the uniform fire code, as adopted and amended by the Lynwood fire department, and with the provisions of title 19 of the California Code of Regulations. (Ord. #1563, §3)

25-90-9: LIQUID AND SOLID WASTES:

There shall be no discharge at any point into any public or private sewage disposal system or stream, or into the ground, of any liquid or solid materials except in conformance with the regulations of the city of Lynwood, and other responsible agencies. (Ord. #1563, §3)

25-90-10: HEAT OR COLD:

No operation or activity shall emit heat which would cause a temperature increase or decrease on any adjacent property in excess of ten degrees Fahrenheit (10°F), whether the change is in the air, on the ground, or in any structure. (Ord. #1563, §3)

25-90-11: ODORS:

No operation or activity shall be permitted to emit odorous gases or other odorous matter in such quantities as to be dangerous, injurious, noxious, or otherwise objectionable and readily detectable without the aid of instruments at or beyond the lot line. (Ord. #1563, §3)

25-90-12: FISSIONABLE OR RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS:

No operation or activity shall be permitted which results at any time in the release or emission of any fissionable or radioactive materials into the atmosphere, the ground, or sewerage systems. (Ord. #1563, §3)