The Citizens Coalition Against Noise Pollution
California
California Highway Patrol Can Now Use Plainly Audible Standard for Exhaust Noise Enforcement
New law (27150.2 VC) does not require law enforcement to use sound level meters to test for excessive noise. The citation is based on officer's judgment. Cited violators may have testing done at smog referee stations or may be directed by the court to have testing done. Vehicles in violation must be brought into compliance. A fine may also be imposed. CHP - Street Legal
Riverside County Passes Strong Noise Code
Riverside County California had such a problem with loud parties, that the county supervisors enacted a noise ordinance that can fine noise offenders up to $1,800. According to a resident activist who helped get the ordinance passed, it was not uncommon for people to put event speakers in their yards and blast noise at all hours of the day and night. These parties could be heard over a mile away.
The ordinance, passed in 2006 prohibits any live band or amplified device from being heard by the human ear at a distance no more than 200 feet. Violation of the ordinance is a $500 fine. However, the State of California also adds an additional fine, plus court costs. The total can add up to 1,800. A second summons in 6 months comes up to $2,700. the third is a misdemeanor with a $3,000 fine and up to 6 months in jail.
Divine Saviour Church Blasting Noise in Los Angeles
Church bells were originally designed as a means to signify the hour for worshippers to attend church before watches and clocks were commonplace. It is also used to mark special occasions, such as a wedding or a funeral. But at the Divine Saviour Church in Cypress Park, CA, their electronic bullhorn "bells" blast the neighborhood six times every day, as early as 7:55am.
The Rocha family lives near the church and the noise has become a painful intrusion to their personal lives. Father Marco Ortiz, the pastor of the church refused to negotiate with them and find a solution. The parishioners and the politicians conveniently sided with the church as they were not directly affected by noise. Ed. P Reyes, a councilmember representing Cypress Park even named Father Marco Ortiz "Neighbor of the Month" in his newsletter sent to constituents.
A recent article in the Los Angeles Times suggested that the bullhorn church bell is a matter that majority opinion should determine whether it should continue. The Divine Saviour church is a bad neighbor for not respecting the Rocha family who are suffering from the noise.
Update: a new pastor of the church negotiated with the Rocha family and has reduced the noise.
Citizens Group Against Altamont Motorsports Park
In 2006, the Altamont Motorsports Park was sold to an outside organization; residents are now concerned that the increased noise, air pollution, light pollution and traffic from the racetrack will adversely affect them. The track is on the far eastern edge of Alameda county in Northern California.
A citizens group called Community for a Better Altamont wants to preserve its rural heritage and more quiet way of life. They organized and successfully prevented the racetrack from getting a renewed conditional use permit (CUP). The Altamont Motorsports Park responded by lobbying the county to rezone the area from agricultural to commercial.
At a 2007 hearing to determine whether the racetrack should receive a noise variance, the county prohibited a sound expert to demonstrate noise levels that could help prove the racetrack would blight the community. In spite of testimony from affected residents, the county awarded the racetrack to operate for the year.
Riverside Residents Concerned About Off-Roading
In Riverside County, frustrated residents lobbied the Riverside Board of Supervisors for effective legislation that would limit the use of noisy off-road vehicles on private land. Supporters of the proposed noise ordinance testified that they had become hostages in their own homes to neighbors who set up illegal dirt tracks in their backyards and rode motorcycles for hours at a time.
Because the county has a concentration of off-road vehicle businesses, special interest groups lobbied the Riverside County Planning Commission. They introduced "compromise legislation" intended to protect their interests and even brought in so-called sound experts as a means to obfuscate the issue.
Instead, the Board of Supervisors threw out the recommendations of the Planning Commission and passed a noise code that sets limits on off-road vehicle use on private land and maximum allowable sound levels at the property line.
In spite of the fact that riders are still allowed to ride on private property (with limits on the number of hours, number of riders on the property and geographic limitations), off-road riders and businesses filed a lawsuit against the Riverside Board of Supervisors.
The real concern of the off-road vehicle industry is that other counties could introduce similar legislation. Nearby San Bernardino County has already proposed newer regulations on off-road riding.
California Caltrans Division Publishes Environmental Analysis
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) publishes an online multimedia training course on highway noise.
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