Industrial and commercial 'fixed sound sources' in unincorporated Placer County are subject to the Table 1 limits at any neighboring sensitive receptor (55/45 dB Leq day/night). Existing legal non-conforming or permitted operations are exempt (9.36.030(A)(10)) unless they expand activities or hours.
In unincorporated Placer County, industrial and commercial noise is regulated under Placer County Code Article 9.36. Machinery, pumps, fans, compressors, air conditioners and refrigeration equipment are 'fixed sound sources' (9.36.020) and must meet the Table 1 sound limits in 9.36.060 at any neighboring sensitive receptor - 55 dB hourly Leq / 70 dB Lmax daytime, 45 dB Leq / 65 dB Lmax nighttime, or ambient + 5 dBA. Section 9.36.030(A)(10) exempts sound from existing legal non-conforming and existing permitted commercial, industrial or non-profit operations, but only where the operation does not significantly change on-site activities or increase the number of days or daily hours of operation. New or expanded industrial uses typically address noise through the conditional-use-permit / discretionary-permit process; under 9.36.080(F) a noise exception associated with a discretionary permit is processed concurrently with that permit. Agricultural operations on agricultural land are separately exempt (9.36.030(A)(9)). Commercial shooting ranges have a specific 65 dBA limit at the receiving property line of a noise-sensitive use (9.36.070(B)).
Industrial or commercial noise exceeding Table 1 (and outside any exemption) is an infraction under 9.36.090, fined $100/$200/$500 (9.36.110). For discretionary-permit holders, noncompliance can be referred to the Planning Commission for action on the underlying permit (9.36.210(D)). The Planning Director and Sheriff are enforcement officers.
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