That the City Council APPROVE THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. CC 2025-__ ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 9.32 (NOISE CONTROL) OF TITLE 12 (PUBLIC PEACE AND WELFARE) OF THE LA HABRA MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO REGULATIONS ON NOISE.

Chapter 9.32 (Noise Control) of the La Habra Municipal Code (LHMC) includes the City's noise ordinance, which regulates unnecessary, excessive and annoying sounds. This chapter sets standards for interior and exterior noise. Exterior noise levels are generally limited to 55 decibels ("dB(A)"), during the day between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and 50 dB(A), at night between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Interior noise levels are generally limited to 55 dB(A), during the day between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and 45 dB(A), at night between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. For reference, 40 dB(A) is about the sound of a quiet library and 60 dB(A) is about the sound of a normal conversation. These are general limitations, and there are several exceptions, including noise sources associated with construction, repair work, remodeling, or grading of any real property, provided the activities do not take place at night, between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m, or at any time on Sunday or a federal holiday. The City Council last updated Chapter 9.32 (Noise Control) in 1989.

On March 18, 2024, the City Council initiated amendments to Chapter 9.32 (Noise Control) to remove outdated references to obsolete County of Orange ordinances and a "Noise Variance Board" of individuals appointed by the Orange County Board of Supervisors, which no longer exists, and make the Director of Community and Economic Development the approval authority for noise variance requests, with the Director's decisions appealable to the Planning Commission. No other changes were requested or are proposed. The proposed changes to Chapter 9.32 (Noise Control) are identified in Attachment 2. 

Costs associated with City-initiated amendments to the LHMC that pertain to the activities of the Community and Economic Development Department are generally assumed as part of the Department's annual budget. If the subject ordinance is adopted, a request for a noise variance will be subject to the same fee as an Administrative Adjustment, which is a similar administrative process for the approval of a minor deviation from the City's development standards. The current fee to process an administrative adjustment is $399.

Applicable General Plan Goals:

Applicable City Council Goal and Objectives: Goal 5: Development Activity and Business Assistance: