El Monte caps property-line noise by zone under Municipal Code Chapter 8.36: 50 dBA day and 45 dBA night at single-family homes, 65/60 commercial, and 70 dBA in industrial zones. A data center's fixed cooling and generator noise cannot exceed these ambient limits by more than 5 dBA.
El Monte's noise ordinance, Municipal Code Section 8.36.040, sets ambient noise standards at the property line by zoning district: single-family residential 50 dBA (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) and 45 dBA (10 p.m.-7 a.m.); multifamily 55/50; commercial 65/60; and industrial 70 dBA day and night. It is unlawful to raise the noise level at any property line more than 5 dBA above the ambient limit for 15 cumulative minutes in an hour. At a residential-manufacturing boundary the residential limit governs, and a residence inside an industrial zone is protected at 50 dBA overnight. The code's "fixed noise source" definition expressly covers generators, compressors, fans, air conditioners, and refrigeration equipment - a data center's cooling and backup power.
Noise over the Section 8.36.040 limits is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 or six months in jail, and each day is a separate offense; the city can also abate it as a public nuisance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
El Monte, CA
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El Monte, CA
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El Monte, CA
Chain-link is prohibited for residential uses. Barbed, pointed, spiked, razor, or piercing materials are banned on any fence or wall citywide.
El Monte, CA
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El Monte, CA
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El Monte, CA
El Monte Municipal Code Title 6 (Animals) restricts livestock in urban residential zones. Animal control is contracted to the Los Angeles County Department o...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle data center noise limits.
See how El Monte's data center noise limits rules stack up against other locations.
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