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

Industrial and commercial noise in unincorporated Colusa County is governed by Section 13-6 and Table No. 1 of Chapter 13 (Ord. No. 730). The agricultural, commercial, and industrial land-use category carries a maximum noise level of 60 dBA from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 55 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., measured at the affected property's plane closest to the noise source, with land-use designations taken from the county general plan. The absolute ceiling in Section 13-7 still applies: no noise level may exceed 20 dBA above the table limit, and never more than 80 dBA. Section 13-8 provides several industrial-relevant exemptions: air conditioners, pool pumps, and similar equipment are exempt provided they are in good working order (Section 13-8(c)); work performed by the county, county franchises, or contractors for road, water, tree, and landscape maintenance, plus street sweeping and garbage removal, is exempt (Section 13-8(d)); aural warning devices required by law are exempt; and emergencies are exempt. Permitted construction and maintenance activity follows the separate hours and equipment limits in Section 13-8(b). Section 13-18 lets an operator who shows that immediate compliance would be technologically impractical or unreasonable apply to the Sheriff for an exception permit with conditions and a compliance schedule. These standards apply throughout the unincorporated county.