19.68.010 General provisions.
A. Title. The ordinance codified in this chapter shall be known and may be cited as “the noise control ordinance” of the City of Chula Vista.
B. Declaration of Findings and Policy. Whereas, excessive noise and vibration are a serious hazard to the public health and welfare and the quality of life, and
Whereas, the people have a right to and should be ensured an environment free from noise and vibration that may jeopardize their health or welfare or degrade the quality of life;
Now, therefore, it is the policy of the City to prevent noise and vibration which may jeopardize the health or welfare of its citizens or degrade the quality of life.
C. Criteria. As criteria for this chapter, Table I is a chart showing sound levels and their expected impact in terms of human response. Table II is a list of National Goals for Noise Reduction as set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in their publication “Toward a National Strategy for Noise Control,” April, 1977
|
Common Sounds |
Noise Level (dB) |
Effect |
|---|---|---|
|
Carrier deck Jet operation Air raid siren |
140 |
Painfully loud |
|
Jet takeoff (200 feet) Thunderclap |
130 |
|
|
Discotheque Auto horn (three feet) |
120 |
Maximum vocal effort |
|
Pile drivers Chain saw (two feet) |
110 |
|
|
Garbage truck Power lawn mower (four feet) |
100 |
|
|
Heavy truck (50 feet) City traffic |
90 |
Very annoying Hearing damage (eight hours) |
|
Alarm clock (two feet) Hair dryer Vacuum cleaner (five feet) |
80 |
Annoying |
|
Noisy restaurant Freeway traffic Man’s voice (three feet) |
70 |
Telephone use difficult |
|
Air conditioning unit (20 feet) |
60 |
Intrusive |
|
Light auto traffic (100 feet) |
50 |
Quiet |
|
Living room Bedroom Quiet office |
40 |
|
|
Library Soft whisper (15 feet) |
30 |
Very quiet |
|
Broadcasting studio |
20 |
|
|
10 |
Just audible |
|
|
0 |
Hearing begins |
This decibel (dB) table compares some common sounds and shows how they rank in potential harm to hearing. Note that 70 dB is the point at which noise begins to harm hearing, that 60 dB is the threshold of stress response and 45 dB disturbs sleep. To the ear, each 10 dB increase seems twice as loud.
II
A. To take all practical steps to eliminate hearing loss resulting from noise exposure;
B. To reduce environmental noise exposure to an Ldn value of no more the 75 dB immediately;
C. To reduce noise exposure levels to Ldn 65 dB by vigorous regulatory and planning actions;
D. To strive for an eventual reduction of noise levels to an Ldn of 55 dB.
(Ord. 2101 § 3, 1985).