Decibel Limits: Chino vs Victorville
How do decibel limits rules compare between Chino, CA and Victorville, CA?
Chino and Victorville have similar restriction levels.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Chino Municipal Code §9.40.040 (Exterior Noise Standards) establishes maximum permitted noise levels at the receiving (residential) property line: 65 dBA during daytime hours (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and 55 dBA during nighttime hours (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Measurement is per §9.40.020: A-weighted scale, slow response, referenced to 20 micropascals, using a sound level meter that meets ANSI specifications. Noise sources in commercial and industrial zones must comply with the residential standard when measured at the nearest residential property line. The standard is exceeded when the level is exceeded for any 30 minutes in an hour; lower thresholds (typically 5 dBA below the base) apply for shorter cumulative durations (15 min, 5 min, 1 min, instantaneous).
View full Chino rules →Victorville, CA
San Bernardino County
Victorville sets zoning-based exterior decibel limits under VMC Chapter 13.01. Residential zones cap at about 65 dB(A) daytime and 55 dB(A) at night; commercial near 70 dB(A); industrial near 75 dB(A).
View full Victorville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Victorville |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime exterior limit (residential) | 65 dBA, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. | - |
| Nighttime exterior limit (residential) | 55 dBA, 10 p.m.–7 a.m. | - |
| Measurement standard | CMC §9.40.020 — A-weighted, slow response, 20 µPa reference | - |
| Duration trigger | Standard violated if exceeded any 30 minutes in any hour | - |
| Pure-tone penalty | +5 dBA added to measured level | - |
| Key exemptions | Emergency, schools, permitted events, aircraft, agricultural ops | - |
| Residential Day | - | About 65 dB(A) |
| Residential Night | - | About 55 dB(A) |
| Commercial | - | About 70 dB(A) |
| Industrial | - | About 75 dB(A) |
| Method | - | A-weighted Type 2 meter |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
How is the 65 dBA limit measured — at my house or at the source?
Per CMC §9.40.020, measurement occurs on the receiving property (the complainant's property line or at a point of human use) using an ANSI Type 2 (or Type 1) sound level meter set to A-weighting, slow response. The reading is taken at least 4 feet above ground and away from reflecting surfaces.
What's a 'pure-tone' penalty?
If the offending noise contains a distinct audible tone (e.g., a whine, hum, or beep) or is cyclically varying or impulsive (banging), CMC §9.40 adds 5 dBA to the measured level before comparing to the limit. So a 60 dBA pure-tone hum is treated as 65 dBA — exactly at the daytime limit and over the nighttime limit.
Victorville FAQ
How are decibels measured in Victorville?
With an A-weighted Type 2 sound level meter at the receiving property line. Impulsive or tonal sounds can receive a 5 dB assessment penalty.
What if the freeway ambient already exceeds the limit?
The measured ambient becomes the enforceable standard, so new sources cannot raise the total noise level above that ambient.
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