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

The County of Shasta (California) controls industrial, manufacturing, and other stationary noise sources through the General Plan Noise Element (Section 5.11) rather than a separate industrial-noise ordinance. Table 5.11-6 (Noise Level Performance Standards for New Projects Affected by or Including Non-Transportation Noise) sets the limits that apply to industrial operations, HVAC and mechanical equipment, loading docks, outdoor processing, and similar fixed sources: at the property line of a noise-sensitive land use, the hourly average (Leq) may not exceed 55 dB during the day (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) or 50 dB at night (10 p.m.-7 a.m.). The standard is lowered 5 dB for simple tone noises, recurring impulsive noises, or sounds that are primarily speech or music. In rural areas with large lots, the standard is applied 100 feet from the residence rather than at the parcel line. New industrial or other potentially noisy projects are reviewed during the planning and environmental (CEQA) process; where they could exceed the standards, the County requires acoustical analysis and mitigation such as setbacks, barriers, equipment selection, and operational limits as conditions of approval. The County also enforces interior noise limits through the State Noise Insulation Standards (California Code of Regulations, Title 24). Ongoing industrial noise that becomes a nuisance can be abated under County Code Chapter 8.28.