Carson, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Source
- LA County Noise Ord. Ch. 12.08, adopted 1995
- Standards
- 5 graduated exterior noise levels
- Variance
- Planning Commission, up to 2 years
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine, 6 months jail
Summary
Carson enforces a five-tier exterior noise standard adopted from the LA County Noise Control Ordinance, capping the sound level any property owner, including industrial and commercial operators, can send onto a neighbor's land.
Unless otherwise herein provided, no person shall operate or cause to be operated, any source of sound at any location within the unincorporated county, or allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by such person which causes the noise level, when measured on any other property either incorporated or unincorporated, to exceed any of the following exterior noise standards: Standard No. 1 shall be the exterior noise level which may not be exceeded for a cumulative period of more than 15 minutes in any 30 minute period. Standard No. 1 shall be the applicable noise level from subsection A of this Section; or, if the ambient L50 exceeds the foregoing level, then the ambient L50 becomes the exterior noise level for Standard No. 1. Standard No. 2 shall be the exterior noise level which may not be exceeded for a cumulative period of more than 7.5 minutes in any 30 minute period. Standard No. 2 shall be the applicable noise level from subsection A of this Section plus 5dB; or, if the ambient L25 exceeds the foregoing level, then the ambient L25 becomes the exterior noise level for Standard No. 2.
Full Breakdown
Carson adopted the Los Angeles County Noise Control Ordinance (former County Code Ch. 12.08) by reference in 1995 and locally amended it; CMC § 5501 substitutes 'City of Carson' for every reference to 'the County' and 'unincorporated areas,' so the ordinance governs citywide, not just county land. The amended § 12.08.390B bars any person from operating a sound source, industrial or otherwise, that pushes noise onto a neighboring property above five graduated standards keyed to how long the noise persists within a 30-minute window. A property owner facing hardship can seek a two-year variance from the Planning Commission under CMC § 5502(h).
Violations & Fines
Violating the noise ordinance is a misdemeanor: up to a $1,000 fine, six months in county jail, or both, and each day the violation continues is a separate offense (CMC § 5503).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carson have its own noise ordinance?
Does the noise standard apply to industrial operators?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carson
California rules heatmap·Compare Carson to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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Decibel Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle decibel limits.