Long Beach, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Amortization period
- 10 years from chapter's effective date
- Applies to
- nonconforming sources in industrial districts
- Max penalty
- $500 fine and/or 180 days jail
- Enforcement trigger
- written sworn complaint to Noise Control Officer
- Variance term
- up to 365 days
Summary
Long Beach doesn't grandfather existing industrial noise sources forever. Municipal Code § 8.80.300 gives nonconforming industrial noise sources only ten years from the noise chapter's effective date to meet its sound-level standards, and only if they sit in an industrial zoning district or hold a valid special-use permit predating the chapter. Expansions and post-damage rebuilds must comply immediately, with no extension of the ten-year clock.
All existing nonconforming industrial noise sources shall be granted an amortization period of ten (10) years from the effective date of this Chapter to bring their existing facilities into compliance with this Chapter; provided, that: 1.They are located in industrial districts delineated in the City zoning ordinance or are located in accordance with a valid special use permit at the time of adoption of this Chapter; 2.They are not changed to another industrial use during the amortization period; 3.They are not altered so as to increase or intensify their noise generation; 4.If they are structurally expanded during the amortization period, the new portion must immediately meet the standards of this Chapter; 5.If they should be rebuilt after damage or destruction of more than fifty percent (50%) of the preexisting value, they must be rebuilt in such a manner as to immediately meet the standards of this Chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 52 Update 1 | City Charter: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
300 addresses industrial sources that predate or fall outside the chapter's sound-level standards. Facilities are not grandfathered forever: the section grants a ten-year amortization period from the chapter's effective date to bring operations into compliance, but only if the source sits in an industrial district under the City zoning ordinance (or operates under a valid special use permit issued before adoption), is not converted to a different industrial use, and is not altered to increase or intensify noise output during the ten years. 80 standards immediately for the new portion, and if a facility is rebuilt after damage or destruction exceeding fifty percent of its preexisting value, the rebuilt structure must comply immediately rather than waiting out the remaining amortization period.
370, a noise level exceeding the limits set for the applicable receiving-land-use district is presumed a violation, but the City investigates only after a written, sworn complaint from a resident or property owner inside the affected noise district. 340, which requires a filing fee and a showing that compliance would create unreasonable hardship on the applicant, the community, or other affected persons; a granted variance runs no more than 365 days.
Violations & Fines
A documented, uncorrected violation is a misdemeanor under Section 8.80.380, punishable by a fine up to $500, up to 180 days in jail, or both, but only after the Noise Control Officer issues an abatement order and the source stays in violation. Each day the violation continues after that order counts as a separate offense. The City may also seek injunctive relief because Section 8.80.410 declares an out-of-compliance noise source a public nuisance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Long Beach ever grandfather a noisy industrial facility permanently?
What happens if an industrial noise source expands during the amortization period?
How does the City find out about an industrial noise violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Long Beach to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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How other cities in Los Angeles County handle decibel limits.