Carson adopts LA County Code Title 12 Chapter 12.08 by reference (Carson Municipal Code Art. 4, Ch. 5). Under §12.08.390 and the Noise Zone designations in §12.08.380, industrial property (Zone III / M zones) has an exterior noise standard of 70 dBA at all hours, measured at the property line of the receiving property. The standard may not be exceeded by more than 5 dBA for any 15-minute cumulative period or more than 8 dBA for any 5-minute period (per the graduated overage table in §12.08.390). Where industrial sites abut residential zones (Zone I / R), the more restrictive residential standard (50 dBA day / 45 dBA night) applies at the residential receptor's property line. Stationary source air emissions from Marathon Carson and Phillips 66 LA Refinery are separately regulated by South Coast AQMD Rule 402 (Nuisance) and Rule 401 (Visible Emissions), and the SCAQMD complaint line (1-800-CUT-SMOG) handles refinery and industrial nuisance noise complaints.
Adoption: Carson Municipal Code (CMC) Art. 4 Ch. 5 adopts LA County Code Title 12 Ch. 12.08 'as amended' as Carson's noise ordinance. Noise zones (LA County Code §12.08.380): Zone I = residential (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RPD, A, RA), Zone II = commercial (C-zones, professional offices), Zone III = manufacturing (M-1, M-1.5, M-2, M-3, M-4), Zone IV = special noise sources (specific facilities). Exterior standards (§12.08.390): Zone I residential — 50 dBA daytime (7 a.m.–10 p.m.) / 45 dBA nighttime (10 p.m.–7 a.m.); Zone II commercial — 65 dBA day / 60 dBA night (10 p.m.–7 a.m. for residential portions, otherwise 24 hr); Zone III industrial — 70 dBA at all hours; Zone IV — set by Health Officer. Receiving property controls: the standard that applies is the one designated for the property receiving the noise, not the property generating it. Allowable exceedances (§12.08.390): base standard for 30+ min/hr; +5 dBA for 15–30 min/hr; +10 dBA for 5–15 min/hr; +15 dBA for 1–5 min/hr; +20 dBA for less than 1 min/hr — but never +20 (so any 5-min steady noise above 90 dBA at industrial receptor is a violation). Carson industrial setting: Marathon Petroleum Carson Refinery, Phillips 66 LA Refinery (Carson facility), Watson industrial corridor, Wilmington-adjacent industrial. AB 2932 (2022) and AB 98 (2024) warehouse/logistics setback rules require minimum distances from sensitive receptors (schools, homes) for new logistics projects. Air emissions: South Coast AQMD Rule 402 (Public Nuisance) and Title 17 CCR §93116 prohibit discharges that 'cause injury, detriment, nuisance, or annoyance to any considerable number of persons.' Refinery flaring (Rule 1118), tank degassing (Rule 1149), and PR 1109.1 are AQMD permits — not city-enforced.
First offense: infraction citation per CMC Art. 9 (general penalties) — typically $100; second within 12 months — $200; third+ — $500 or misdemeanor at City Attorney discretion. LA County Code §12.08.030 makes violations a misdemeanor punishable by fine up to $1,000 and/or six months in County Jail (incorporated through Carson's adoption). SCAQMD nuisance complaints can result in separate Notice of Violation, civil penalties under H&S Code §42402 ($10,000+/day for major sources), and abatement orders. Industrial users may also face Cal/OSHA Title 8 §5096 occupational noise enforcement for worker exposure above 85 dBA TWA.
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