Nevada County, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Industrial limit (M1, M2)
- 80 dBA Leq / 90 dBA Lmax anytime
- Abutting-zone rule
- Lower district standard + 5 dBA (Sec. L-II 4.1.7.D.4)
- Noise study
- Required for potentially exceeding projects (Policy 9.1.13)
- Design controls
- Setbacks, berms, landscaping, solid fencing
- Source
- General Plan Table 9.1 / LUDC Sec. L-II 4.1.7
Summary
Industrial uses in unincorporated Nevada County must meet the General Plan exterior noise limits, which cap industrial (M1, M2) zones at 80 dBA Leq and 90 dBA Lmax at any time, with stricter limits applying at the boundary of more sensitive abutting zones.
TABLE 9.1 NOISE STANDARDS - Exterior Noise Limits (Noise Level, dBA Leq / Lmax): Business Park ("BP") - 7 am - 7 pm: 65 / 85; 7 pm - 7 am: 60 / 70. Industrial ("M1" "M2") - any time: 80 / 90.
b. Where two different zoning districts abut, the standard applicable to the lower, or more restrictive, district plus 5 dBA shall apply.
h. Recognizing that this chapter must work toward the solution to existing noise problems, those land uses that are inconsistent with the above standards and are therefore non-conforming in nature, shall comply with said standards as these land uses are upgraded or intensified or after abandonment through the use permit or site plan process.
Full Breakdown
7. Industrial zoning districts (M1, M2) are limited to 80 dBA Leq and 90 dBA Lmax at any time. 4), so industrial noise at the boundary of a residential or rural area is effectively held to a much lower level than 80 dBA. The General Plan also notes that resource-development uses such as lumber mills and mining operations can significantly affect surrounding land uses, and that noise-generating uses should be sited to minimize impacts on noise-sensitive receptors. 13), and design controls such as setbacks, berms, landscaping, and solid fencing are required to mitigate impacts.
Compliance is measured as the mean of at least three 20-minute readings on the affected sensitive property. Industrial noise standards are applied to discretionary and ministerial projects and enforced by the County's Planning and Code Compliance functions.
Violations & Fines
Industrial noise exceeding the applicable standard is enforced by Code Compliance, which seeks voluntary compliance and can cite operators and refer continued non-compliance to Nevada County Superior Court; new projects may be conditioned with mitigation through use permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the industrial noise limit in unincorporated Nevada County?
Are industrial projects required to study noise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nevada County
California rules heatmap·Compare Nevada County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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