Planning Commission backs noise-ordinance amendments, recommends city council review

The Sierra Madre City Planning Commission voted to approve updates to the city's noise ordinance (municipal code text amendment MCTA 25-01) and recommended the measure be sent to the City Council with the commission's edits.

The commission's approval follows a staff presentation and months of consultant work to close gaps in the existing code, including how noise is measured, where measurements are taken and how exemptions are handled. System Planner Huang briefed the commission on the draft changes and the enforcement implications for city departments.

The changes remove ambient-noise baselines and references to commercial zoning from the exterior-noise standards so the same limits apply across land uses. The draft shortens required noise measurement duration to 10 minutes and clarifies that both A-weighted and C-weighted decibel readings (dBA and dBC) are used. Staff recommended harmonizing powered-equipment hours in chapter 9.32 with the city's construction-hours rules and aligning chapter 8.4 (landscaping equipment) with the same hours and holiday exceptions.

Huang said the draft also defines “special city-sponsored or city-affiliated events” (for example, Fourth of July festivities and concerts in the park) and distinguishes those from general special events held on city-owned property.

Commissioners pressed staff on enforcement mechanics after Rincon consultants and staff met with the police department and the city attorney. Huang reported the police department currently lacks the necessary meters for noise enforcement and that code-enforcement staff have a meter that records dBA only. With Rincon's recommendation, staff advised that the police department would need ANSI Type 2 sound-level meters (two minimum) with tripods and windshields for routine enforcement and noise surveys. Huang also noted the vendor-referenced model (the Piccolo 2) can provide both dBA and dBC simultaneously.

Commissioners asked whether vehicle muffler violations belong in the noise code. The chief of police told the commission, “That's a vehicle code violation. Absolutely, it should be with the vehicle code,” and explained practical enforcement would occur via a traffic stop if officers determine a muffler or catalytic-converter modification is the source of the complaint.

The draft creates an exemption pathway in which the city manager may grant temporary permits to exceed code limits for up to three months; staff cited examples such as certain public-works operations or extended filming that may require hours outside the standard limits. Commissioners asked staff to clarify the scope and typical uses of that temporary permit before final adoption.

After additional small wording and definition edits proposed by commissioners, the commission voted to approve MCTA 25-01 with the planning commission's recommended changes. The record shows the motion carried on a verbal voice vote; staff will transmit the package and the planning commission resolution (Resolution 25-07) to the City Council for first reading and potential adoption.

The commission's approval does not itself change the municipal code; final action would be taken by the City Council. Staff told commissioners the police department would need to budget for and procure enforcement meters and accessories if the council approves the ordinance as recommended.