Sebastopol City Zoning Code
17.330 Outdoor
Music and Noise in the Downtown
The following standards apply to community-wide events that occur on public or private property which are not otherwise permitted by the City:
Sound sources associated with outside activities associated with a community event (e.g., fairs, entertainment events, and sporting events) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and City-recognized holidays shall not exceed 80 dBA, Lmax at the property line of the property on which the event is being held.
17.330.010 Downtown noise permit required.
A downtown noise permit shall be required for uses in the downtown (Figure 17.08-1) that request periodic exceedances of the noise standards contained in SMC 8.25.060 and that are not subject to a temporary use permit as established by Chapter 17.430 SMC. Chapter 17.435 SMC establishes the procedure for consideration of downtown noise permits. (Ord. 1111, 2018)
17.330.020 Downtown noise permit standards – Community events.
The following standards apply to community-wide events that occur on public or private property which are not otherwise permitted by the City:
Sound sources associated with outside activities associated with a community event (e.g., fairs, entertainment events, and sporting events) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and City-recognized holidays shall not exceed 80 dBA, Lmax at the property line of the property on which the event is being held. (Ord. 1111, 2018)
17.330.030 Downtown noise permit standards – Private events.
The following standards apply to events that occur on private property and are open to clients or patrons of an establishment.
A. A downtown noise permit shall only be issued for events that either:
1. Are a one-time event that is held for no more than three days.
2. Are a recurring event that is held no more than twice per month.
B. Any exceedance of the noise standards contained in SMC 8.25.060 shall be for no more than three hours in any 24-hour period.
C. Any exceedance of the noise standards contained in SMC 8.25.060 shall be limited to the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on a Friday and/or a Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on a Sunday. Noise levels shall not be exceeded on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
D. The exterior noise standards established at SMC 8.25.060 shall not be exceeded by more than 10 dBA at any time. An exceedance of more than 10 dBA is not eligible for a downtown noise permit and shall require a variance.
E. Reasonable methods to attenuate noise shall be incorporated into the site plan and event in order to minimize excessive noise exposure to nearby residences. Such methods may include, but not be limited to:
1. Orienting the activity or event, including speakers and other noise-generating equipment, so that noise is directed away from residential areas.
2. Use of noise barriers when noise will be generated outdoors or in a building that is open to the outdoors (windows, doors, etc., that are held open during the event or will be opened on a regular basis during the event) to ensure that off-site noise levels are minimized.
3. Having a sound engineer on site during the event to review and adjust settings on the soundboard, amplifiers, and other noise-generating and noise-modulating equipment to ensure that the interior noise standard at affected areas is not exceeded. (Ord. 1111, 2018)