Ventura County controls industrial and stationary-source noise through General Plan Policy HAZ-9.2, applied when discretionary projects are reviewed. New noise generators near noise-sensitive uses must keep outdoor noise at the receptor's exterior wall to 55 dBA Leq (day), 50 dBA (evening) and 45 dBA (night), or ambient plus 3 dBA, whichever is greater.
Industrial and other stationary noise sources (agricultural operations, manufacturing, equipment yards) in unincorporated Ventura County are evaluated under the General Plan's Hazards and Safety Element. Policy HAZ-9.2 requires new noise generators proposed near any noise-sensitive use to incorporate noise-control measures so that ongoing outdoor noise received by the sensitive receptor, measured at the exterior wall of the building, does not exceed: 55 dBA Leq (one hour) or ambient plus 3 dBA, whichever is greater, from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; 50 dBA Leq or ambient plus 3 dBA from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and 45 dBA Leq or ambient plus 3 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Policy HAZ-9.1 directs the County to prohibit discretionary development that would generate project-related noise that cannot be reduced to meet these standards, and Policy HAZ-9.4 requires an acoustical analysis by a qualified engineer for projects involving noise generation above the established standards. These standards are operational limits applied through conditions of approval; they are distinct from the construction-phase thresholds and from the after-hours residential ordinance.
A discretionary project that cannot meet the HAZ-9.2 limits must add mitigation or be denied under HAZ-9.1. Once approved, an operation exceeding its conditioned noise limits is subject to planning code enforcement, which can include modification or revocation of the permit. State and County nuisance law also remains available for chronic industrial noise.
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