Kern County, CA Noise Ordinances: Industrial Noise (2026)

All non-mobile sources of noise produced by commercial and industrial uses, except for those located within the M-3 District, and located within five hundred (500) feet of property developed residentially and zoned for residential use (E, R-1, R-2 and R-3) shall comply with the following exterior noise standards: 1. The use shall not generate noise that exceeds an average 65 dB Ldn (24 hour median) between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and shall not generate noise that exceeds 65 dB, or which would result in an increase of 5 dB or more from ambient sound levels, whichever is greater, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Noise level measurements shall be taken at the exterior of the closest residential dwelling within the boundary of the affected residential district/s with a sound level meter using the A-weighted network (scale) and, where practical, the microphone shall be positioned five (5) feet above the ground and away from reflective surfaces. Public complaints alleging violation of this standard may be required to submit documentation of actual noise level measurements. The Planning Director, in consultation with the Kern County Department of Environmental Health Services, may authorize deviations or exceptions to the standards contained in this subsection and may require noise attenuation measures in conjunction which such authorization.