Gilroy, CA Noise from Specific Sources: Generator Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger distance
- Within 100 feet of a dwelling unit
- Exterior noise limit
- 60 Ldn at property line
- Interior noise limit
- 45 Ldn
- Testing hours
- Weekdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. only
- Normal operation
- Power outages only
Summary
In the City of Gilroy, a wireless telecommunication facility's backup generator within 100 feet of a home must be attenuated to 60 Ldn exterior and 45 Ldn interior noise, and may only run for outages or weekday testing between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., per City Code § 30.35.19(j)(2).
(j) Noise and Traffic. All telecommunication facilities shall be constructed and operated in such a manner as to minimize the amount of disruption caused to nearby properties. To that end, all the following measures shall be implemented for all telecommunication facilities, unless exempted from these measures by section 30.35.13: ... (2) Backup generators shall only be operated during power outages and for testing and maintenance purposes. If the facility is located within one hundred (100) feet of a residential dwelling unit, noise attenuation measures shall be included to reduce noise levels at the facility to a maximum exterior noise level of sixty (60) Ldn at the property line and a maximum interior noise level of forty-five (45) Ldn. Testing and maintenance shall only take place on weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Full Breakdown
City Code § 30.35.19(j) requires all telecommunication facilities to be built and operated to minimize disruption to nearby properties. Paragraph (2) specifically restricts backup generators: they may run only during actual power outages and for testing and maintenance, and any generator within 100 feet of a residential dwelling unit must include noise attenuation measures cutting facility noise to a maximum of 60 Ldn at the exterior property line and 45 Ldn measured indoors. Testing and maintenance runs are confined to weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., excluding evenings, nights and weekends.
The same article separately caps outdoor noise-producing construction activity for these facilities to the 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekday window unless the planning manager or planning commission allows other hours (§ 30.35.19(j)(1)). A related operations standard at § 30.35.23(d) again limits backup generator testing to weekdays outside 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and bars testing on weekends or holidays, capping equipment noise at 60 dB at the property line at all times, showing the city applies the same generator-hours discipline both at initial approval and during ongoing operation.
Violations & Fines
Operating a telecommunication facility backup generator outside the permitted hours or above the 60 Ldn exterior/45 Ldn interior noise limits violates § 30.35.19 and is an infraction under City Code § 30.53.20, punishable per Government Code § 36900, with continuing noncompliance also grounds for permit revocation under § 30.35.27.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cell site generator run at night in Gilroy?
What noise limit applies to telecom generators near my Gilroy home?
What happens if a Gilroy telecom operator ignores the generator noise rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gilroy
California rules heatmap·Compare Gilroy to another location·View the California noise from specific sources overview
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How other cities in Santa Clara County handle generator noise.