Merced County, CA Noise from Specific Sources: Generator Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Testing hours barred
- 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Also barred
- Weekends and holidays
- Normal operation
- Only during power outages
- Overall cap
- Cannot exceed Ch. 10.60 noise limits
- Governing law
- County Code Section 18.68.100(D)
Summary
Merced County restricts when backup generators at wireless telecommunication facility sites can run and be tested. Under County Code Section 18.68.100(D), generators may only operate during actual power outages, and routine testing is barred on weekends, holidays, and between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Noise. Each wireless telecommunication facility shall be operated so as to minimize the generation of noise that is audible from off the site. Backup generators shall only be operated during periods of power outages, and shall not be tested on weekends or holidays, or between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. At no time shall equipment noise from any source exceed the noise standards in Chapter 10.60 (Noise Control) in the Merced County Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4930839; v8 updated 2026-06-02).
Full Breakdown
68 (Wireless Telecommunication Facilities), sets the operating rule for backup power equipment at cell towers and other wireless sites in the unincorporated county. The rule has two layers. First, a general performance standard: each wireless telecommunication facility must be operated to minimize noise audible from off the site. any day. 60 (Noise Control) of the Merced County Code, meaning the generator restriction operates on top of, not instead of, the county's baseline decibel limits. This section was adopted as part of the 2019 rewrite of the wireless facilities chapter (Ord. 1976 Section 2, 2019), which also requires facility owners to routinely inspect their own sites for compliance under subsection E. 60.
Violations & Fines
Merced County Planning and Community Development enforces Chapter 18.68 as a condition of the facility's zoning approval. A generator tested outside the allowed hours, or run for reasons other than an actual power outage, is a violation of the facility's operating conditions and of Section 18.68.100(D) directly. The county can pursue this as a zoning code violation, which may lead to a notice of violation, required corrective action, and revocation proceedings against the facility's conditional use permit if noncompliance continues. Facility owners must also keep current contact information on file with the county under subsection A so violations can be reported and traced to a responsible operator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cell tower generator in Merced County run a test on a Saturday?
Does this rule apply to my home backup generator?
What noise limit applies when a wireless facility generator is actually running during an outage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced County
California rules heatmap·Compare Merced County to another location·View the California noise from specific sources overview
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