San Clemente sets numeric decibel limits by land use and time under SCMC §8.48.050. Residential exterior limits are 55 dB(A) day and 50 dB(A) night; commercial is 65/60 dB(A); industrial is 70 dB(A) at all hours.
The §8.48.050 exterior standards (measured on the affected receiver property) are: Residential 55 dB(A) daytime / 50 dB(A) nighttime; residential in mixed-use or commercial/industrial zones 60/50 dB(A); Commercial 65/60 dB(A); Industrial or manufacturing 70/70 dB(A). Day is 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; night is 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Interior residential limits under §8.48.060 are 50 dB(A) day and 40 dB(A) night. Limits scale with duration: the standard may not be exceeded more than 30 minutes per hour, +5 dB(A) more than 15 minutes, +10 dB(A) more than 5 minutes, +15 dB(A) more than 1 minute, and +20 dB(A) for any period. Measurements use an ANSI sound level meter on A-weighting, slow response, mic 5 feet above grade (§8.48.030).
Exceeding the §8.48.050 or §8.48.060 limits is a prima facie violation (§8.48.070(Q)) and public nuisance. Enforcement under SCMC §1.16.010: misdemeanor up to $1,000/six months, or infraction $100/$200/$500, plus fines, each day a separate offense.
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