Indio, CA Noise Ordinances: Industrial Noise (2026)

The City of Indio addresses industrial, commercial and mechanical noise through its general noise code (Indio Municipal Code Chapter 95C) rather than a separate industrial chapter. Section 95C.02 defines a 'FIXED NOISE SOURCE' as a stationary device that creates sound — 'including, but not limited to, industrial and commercial machinery and equipment, pumps, fans, compressors, generators, air conditioners and refrigeration equipment.' Such equipment is subject to the same controlling standards as other noise: Section 95C.03(A) prohibits disturbing, excessive or offensive noise or vibration that annoys a reasonable person or is plainly audible more than 50 feet from the source. Industrial operations involving vehicles and machinery are further controlled by Section 95C.08(B), which makes it unlawful to conduct loading/unloading of vehicles or operate forklifts or cranes within 1,000 feet of a residence, or to run construction tools and machinery, outside the permitted daytime hours (which differ between Pacific Standard and Daylight Time, with Sundays and government holidays limited to 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.). The 1,000-foot trigger can be modified by the Planning Commission through design review or a conditional use permit. Public utilities regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission, public-works projects, and essential public services (including trash collection) are exempt under Section 95C.09(I). Larger community-scale or industrial noise measured over time may also be evaluated under the General Plan Noise Element's CNEL method per Section 95C.09(A).