As the weather warms up and windows and doors are left open to allow in the fresh spring air, along with that refreshing breeze may come the buzz of chain saw, the hum of an air conditioner or the rat-ta-tat-tat of a hammer at a nearby construction project.
To regulate the noise disturbances encountered in Belmont neighborhoods, the City of Belmont has adopted a Noise Ordinance.
The Belmont Noise Ordinance defines a noise disturbance as any source of sound, which exceeds the noise limitations, permitted by the noise ordinance.
The city ordinance also sets limits on the types of noise, decibel levels, and the hours during activities producing noise may take place.
Of course, noise can be an objective annoyance—what may seem normal sound to a construction worker, may be exceptionally annoying to a work-from-home neighbor. Therefore the ordinance stipulates: Any and all excessively annoying, loud or unusual noises or vibrations shall be considered a noise disturbance if such noise or noises offend the peace and quiet of persons of ordinary or reasonable sensibilities or interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property or affect at the same time, an entire neighborhood or any considerable number of persons.
According to the Belmont Noise Ordinance, sources of sound shall include but not be limited to the following: amplified music, loudspeakers, radios televisions, stereos, musical instruments, powered toys or models, swimming pools or spas, industrial machinery, manufacturing equipment, pole drivers, air compressors, paint sprayers, motors, pumps, blowers, air conditioners, cooling towers, ventilation fans, fork lifts, loaders, tractors, animals, concerts, mechanical equipment, human voices, electrical appliances, vacuum cleaners, powered equipment, chain saws, motor vehicles and attached equipment not operated on a street or highway, etc.
City of Belmont Noise Ordinance Permissible Noise Hours:
Daytime Hours - Monday through Friday - 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and Holidays* - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nighttime Hours - Any hour outside the defined daytime hours.
*Holidays = New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Noise Limitations
Single Family Residential Property Nighttime hours – 55 dBA Daytime hours – 65 dBA
Multifamily Residential Structure Nighttime hours – 35 dBA Daytime hours – 45 dBA
Non-Residential Property Nighttime hours – 55 dBA Daytime hours – 65 dBA ** I
In the event the alleged offensive noise contains a steady, audible tone, such as a whine, screech, beating, pulsating, throbbing or hum the standards set forth shall be reduced by five (5) dBA.
Construction Noise
Construction activities are limited between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. No construction related activities are permitted on Sundays and Holidays.
Work that does not require a building permit or other City approval personally done by residents and property owners to maintain and improve their property during daytime hours are exempt.
Work that does not require a building permit is new paint, flooring and replacing windows that do not require any alteration of the building. All other work will require a building permit and must adhere to the noise limitations.
For more information on the City of Belmont Noise Ordinance, including permissible hours for specific projects, click here.
To read the Noise Ordinance in its entirety as included in the municipal code, click here.
For more information, or for code enforcement, call 650-637-2968.
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