Unincorporated San Diego County sets numeric, zone-based decibel limits in County Code Section 36.404. Standard residential zones are limited to a 50 dBA one-hour average from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and 45 dBA from 10 p.m.-7 a.m.; multi-family 55/50, commercial 60/55, and industrial zones 70-75 dBA.
Section 36.404 of the County's Noise Abatement and Control ordinance is the heart of its numeric standards. It is unlawful to cause noise exceeding the one-hour average sound level limits in Table 36.404, measured at the property line of the source or anywhere on a receiving property (no closer than five feet from the source, per Sec. 36.403). The limits by zone and time are: low-density residential and agricultural zones (RS, RD, RR, RMH, A70, A72, and others) - 50 dBA from 7 a.m.-10 p.m., 45 dBA from 10 p.m.-7 a.m.; higher-density residential (RM, RC, RRO, and others) - 55 dBA day, 50 dBA night; commercial zones (and S94, V4) - 60 dBA day, 55 dBA night; industrial zones M50/M52/M54 - 70 dBA anytime; and S82/M56/M58 - 75 dBA anytime. Village zones (V1-V3) have their own tiered schedule. Two adjustment rules apply: (1) if the measured ambient noise level already exceeds the limit, the allowable level becomes the ambient level plus 3 dBA (Sec. 36.404(d)); and (2) on a boundary between two zones, the limit is the arithmetic mean of the two zones' limits (Sec. 36.404(e)). Extractive industries (borrow pits, mines) are fixed at 75 dBA at the property line regardless of zone. All measurements use A-weighting and slow response on an ANSI Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meter (Sec. 36.402-36.403).
The measured sound-level limits are enforced by the County noise control officer (Director of Planning and Land Use), who may order a violation to cease and summarily abate a public nuisance under Section 36.419 if there is an immediate threat to health or safety. Because the limits are one-hour averages with defined measurement methods (Sec. 36.403), enforcement generally involves a calibrated meter reading at the property line or receiving property.
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