Palm Desert, CA Noise from Specific Sources: HVAC & Mechanical Noise (2026)

Section 9.24.100 is Palm Desert's rule for air conditioning and refrigeration noise. It starts from the standards in Section 9.24.030, which fix ten-minute average limits by zone and time. For residential zones those are 55 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 45 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and for Commercial and Public Institutional zones 65 dBA by day and 55 dBA at night. The code lists air conditions and refrigeration equipment among its examples of a fixed noise source, so the table applies directly.

Two tracks follow. For an older system, where the alleged offensive noise source is an air conditioning or refrigeration system or associated equipment installed prior to the effective date of December 1, 1985, the standards are increased by eight dBA. For new equipment the code is stricter: installation of new equipment must be certified to be within the provisions of the chapter for night and day operation noise level. The code prints no separate certifying agency in this section, so the certification obligation rests on the installer and owner.

Measurement follows Section 9.24.110. For residential properties the exterior reading is taken at the property line of the affected residential property, meaning the address that made the complaint, and an interior reading is taken inside the affected unit at least four feet from the nearest wall, ceiling or floor. Where the unit sits near another zone, the limit between two zoning districts is measured at the higher allowable district. If the measured ambient noise level exceeds the table limit, the ambient level becomes the allowable level. Section 9.24.140 gave pre-existing commercial and industrial sources built into a building a three-year compliance period, extendable annually on a showing of hardship.