10 rules for unincorporated Lassen County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Lassen County regulates noise under County Code Chapter 9.65 (Ordinance 2021-004). It is a public nuisance to create noise exceeding the one-hour average sound-level limits in Section 9.65.040 Table 1, measured at the property line. In residential areas the limit drops to 55 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
In unincorporated Lassen County, construction noise is exempt from the Noise Ordinance during daytime hours. Section 9.65.070(a)(9) of the Lassen County Code exempts construction work from the noise limits between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Outside that window (7 p.m.-7 a.m.), the noise standards apply.
In unincorporated Lassen County a habitually barking or howling animal is a nuisance under County Code Chapter 8.08 (General Animal Regulations). The written affirmation of three unrelated persons living at separate residences that their peace is disturbed is prima facie evidence of a violation. Chapter 9.65 also lists animal noise as a prohibited act.
Unincorporated Lassen County has no separate leaf-blower ordinance. Gas-powered leaf blowers and other yard equipment are governed by the general one-hour average sound-level limits of County Code Section 9.65.040, measured at the property line. Daytime use is effectively allowed; nighttime use must stay under the lower limits (e.g., 55 dBA in residential areas, 10 p.m.-7 a.m.).
In unincorporated Lassen County, amplified sound is a prohibited act under County Code Section 9.65.050 when a radio, stereo, instrument, loudspeaker or amplifier exceeds the Section 9.65.040 limits, including when measured 25 feet from a device operating in a public right-of-way. Using amplifiers for commercial advertising over streets and public property is separately prohibited.
Aircraft noise in flight is federally preempted and is not enforced under the Lassen County Noise Ordinance. The county instead manages airport noise through Airport Land Use Plans and CNEL contours: under California Code of Regulations Title 21, 65 dBA CNEL is the maximum acceptable aircraft-noise level for residents.
Industrial and stationary-source noise in unincorporated Lassen County is governed by County Code Section 9.65.040 and the Noise Element's Standard N-1. Industrial property may reach 90 dBA CNEL on its own parcel, but a stationary source must not exceed 65 dBA CNEL (the residential standard) at any nearby residential property line.
Unincorporated Lassen County uses numeric decibel limits. Section 9.65.040 makes it a public nuisance to exceed the one-hour average A-weighted sound-level limits in Table 1, measured at the property line. Residential limits are 65 dBA (7 a.m.-7 p.m.), 60 dBA (evening) and 55 dBA (10 p.m.-7 a.m.).
Outdoor music in unincorporated Lassen County must stay within the Section 9.65.040 sound-level limits (65/60/55 dBA in residential areas), and amplified outdoor sound is a prohibited act under Section 9.65.050 when it exceeds those levels. Temporary events with amplified sound are conditioned through the county's permit process under Section 9.65.070(a)(3).
Unincorporated Lassen County prohibits unnecessary use of vehicle horns and signaling devices under County Code Section 9.65.050 (other than as allowed by the Vehicle Code). On-road vehicle exhaust and muffler noise is governed by the California Vehicle Code, which the county's Noise Element directs the Sheriff to help enforce.
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