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Pacific Grove council directs ordinance to raise downtown music limit to 80 decibels, 4-2
Summary
After roughly an hour of public comment both for and against, the Pacific Grove City Council voted 4-2 to direct the city attorney to return with an ordinance to raise the allowable amplified-sound limit from 70 to 80 decibels for specified commercial areas and to update related enforcement language.
The Pacific Grove City Council on March 19 directed the city attorney to prepare an ordinance to raise the city's allowable amplified-sound level from 70 to 80 decibels in the commercial/downtown area and to update related code sections and enforcement language.
Council members split 4-2 on the direction after more than an hour of public comment and extended deliberation. Mayor Pro Tem Jo Emilio led the proposal, saying the change would support downtown businesses and the emerging live-music scene. "I truly believe that what's gonna be best for the city of Pacific Grove," Emilio said during deliberations.
Why it matters: Supporters argued a higher limit would help restaurants and small businesses attract customers, create a more vibrant downtown and capture revenue from visitors. Opponents and several residents said the proposed change would harm residents' quality of life, risk hearing damage and could conflict with the city's long-standing noise policies and state guidance. Many speakers called for a more nuanced approach that includes time limits, geographic limits and clearer enforcement.
Key details and process: Councilmember WalkingStick presented background research comparing Pacific Grove's standard with other cities and urged caution. "Your rights end where another person's nose begins," Walkenstick quoted to frame the public-safety/health concern. Councilmember Emilio suggested confining any increase to commercial districts and keeping existing time restrictions.
Council action and next steps: The council voted to direct the city attorney to return with an ordinance to modify Pacific Grove Municipal Code (23.64.29 and related sections) to allow amplified and unamplified music indoors and outdoors not to exceed 80 decibels (as measured under an ordinance to be drafted), with staff to propose enforcement/measurement language (for example, averaging over a measurement period). The motion passed 4-2. Councilmembers McDonald and Walkenstick voted no.
What the council did not decide: The vote directed staff to draft an ordinance; it did not itself change the code. Councilmembers specifically left detailed measurement methodology, geographic definitions and any permit or special-event exceptions for the drafting stage and a future public hearing.
Public comment: More than a dozen residents and business owners testified. Business owners said current limits make routine conversation or restaurant service difficult and urged an increase to 80 or 85 dB. Several residents, audiologists and long-term residents urged the council to leave the limit at 70 dB, cite health and the city's general plan policies, and to specify times/locations for any change.
Looking ahead: The city attorney and staff will return with draft ordinance language and enforcement details for the council to consider at a future meeting. The council repeatedly asked that any draft tie into existing hour restrictions and other noise-related ordinances.
Ending note: The council framed the action as a direction to prepare regulatory language, not as a final rule change. The public hearing and final vote will come after staff drafts the ordinance and the council schedules further review.
