Noise from Specific Sources
Rules for HVAC equipment noise, bar and nightclub noise, car alarms, and generator operation.
The pool pump, the heat pump, the generator, the delivery truck: complaints about specific machines almost always land under the general noise standard, measured at the property line, because codes rarely write equipment-specific limits.
What codes do write for specific sources is exemptions and schedules. Construction equipment gets legal hours. Generators get a pass during outages. Refuse trucks get pre-dawn routes. The exemption, not the limit, is usually the operative text.
What's Covered
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
Noise limits for air conditioners, heat pumps, pool equipment, and other mechanical systems, including decibel thresholds measured at the property line.
Bar & Nightclub Noise
Noise regulations specific to bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues, including bass frequency limits, soundproofing requirements, and complaint procedures.
Car Alarm Limits
Maximum duration for car alarms before they must auto-silence, penalties for repeated false alarms, and vehicle towing authority for chronic alarm violations.
Generator Noise
Rules for portable and standby generators, including permitted operating hours, decibel limits, and restrictions during non-emergency use.
Delivery Truck Noise
Time-of-day restrictions on commercial delivery trucks operating in residential zones, including back-up beepers, refrigeration units, and engine idling.
Airport Engine Run-up
Limits on aircraft engine maintenance run-ups at LAX, Van Nuys, and Bob Hope airports, including run-up enclosure requirements and time-of-day rules.
Low-Frequency Bass Limits
Special bass-frequency (≤125 Hz) sound limits for venues, including dB(C) measurement standards and how cities differentiate bass noise from baseline ambient.