SR-14-D (2)
f Ictyclerkfrneetngs/krn022399 Itm
14-0
February 23, 1999
TO
CIty CouncIl
FROM
Councllmember McKewon
SUBJECT
Amendments to NOlse OrdInances
ThIS proposal to reVIew possible amendments to Santa Momca mumclpal nOIse ordmances IS m
response to complaints from residents reporting unacceptable noise levels, particularly at night,
from nearby manufacturing and commercIal SItes These have Included but not been
hmlted to recordmg studlOs, loadmg/unloadmg docks and mghtclub operatIons
Santa Monica noise ordinances are Intended to protect resIdents from IntrusIve sound levels,
partIcularly dunng hours typically set aside for rest and relaxation When the laws were enacted,
such sounds were hkely to come from loud mdustnal machmery, au COndItIOnmg umts and the
lIke Ordmances proscnbmg contmuous nOIse or VIbratIOn above a steadtly measurable level
were adequate
Over the years, nOlse-creatmg uses In mdustnal and commercIally-zoned parcels adjacent to or
across courts and alleys from resIdences have become more dIverse The sounds are now often
Intermittent, harder to measure accurately, but no less dIstressing to neighbors trymg to sleep
or otherwIse enJoy theIr homes m peace
EXIstmg Santa Monica law hmits sound levels emanatmg from WIthm resIdentIally zoned areas
at mght, while allowing slgmficantly higher levels m commercIal areas of the CIty CommerCIal
sound sources must meet sltghtly qUieter standards from lOpm to 7am
Industnally zoned parcels have the loudest allowable nOIse levels, WIth no relattve mghttIme
restnctIon at all ThIS IS the case even when the mdustnal parcellS ImmedIately adjacent to
resIdential use, often with a bedroom wmdow facmg the sound source
It IS tIme to reVIew our nOIse ordmances, With an ear to makIng them effecttve m theIr mtended
purpose of protectmg the peace, health and welfare of resIdents
14-0
February 23, 1999