Santa Cruz County, CA Noise Ordinances: Industrial Noise (2026)

Industrial and commercial noise is regulated through County land-use planning rather than a single fixed-decibel ordinance. The County General Plan Noise Element requires that for all new commercial and industrial development which would increase noise above normally acceptable levels, the best available control technologies be used, and 'in no case shall the noise levels exceed the standards of Table 9-3.' Table 9-3 caps stationary noise at the receiving property line: daytime (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) 50 dB hourly Leq and 70 dB maximum (65 dB impulsive); nighttime (10 p.m.-7 a.m.) 45 dB Leq and 65 dB maximum (60 dB impulsive). SCCC Chapter 13.15 (Noise Planning) implements these limits in the permitting process and adds equipment-specific rules: backup generators near homes must be attenuated to a 60 dB exterior maximum (13.15.050), and air-conditioning/mechanical units within 100 feet of sleeping areas may not exceed 60 dB (units installed before the chapter's effective date) or 55 dB (units installed after) at the neighboring property line (13.15.060). For extractive uses, the General Plan limits quarry and mining noise to a maximum 60 dB at the property boundary for a cumulative 15 minutes per hour, with special standards in SCCC Chapter 16.54 Mining Regulations. Heavy industry is minimal in the county since the CEMEX cement plant ceased cement production in 2010.