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Saturday Construction
updated: Sep 22, 2012, 1:36 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

Does anyone know the laws on construction on Saturdays? There is major demolition going on next door to me on State/Valerio. Not a fun way to spend a relaxing Saturday.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 323040	2012-09-22 02:05 PM
I don't know, but I do know that neighbors love to complain about construction noise...until it's their turn.
COMMENT 323048	2012-09-22 02:40 PM
Progress people, it's called progress. Yes, you can perorm construction activities on the weekend as long as it is between designated hours and proper permits are attained. Everybody gets inconvenienced now and then.
COMMENT 323049	2012-09-22 02:42 PM
Be glad you're not one of the guys out there working their butts off on this hot day. Probably not too relaxing for them...
COMMENT 323050	2012-09-22 02:46 PM
I don't believe there is a prohibition against work on weekends. It's still a free country and if a businessman wants to catch up on costly deadlines and work the weekend it should be his privilege not the neighbor's prerogative to intervene. If it continues after dark you may have a right to complain. Since your neighbor or his construction crew isn't able to find a peaceful getaway why don't you go to the beach and enjoy your day off? Really.... you'll feel better than staying home aggravatin' yerself silly.
COMMENT 323053	2012-09-22 03:03 PM
Whew. Some angry people out there----and I don't mean the OP. I walked past this construction site yesterday, around 3pm. The noise was horrendous. I was across the street, and the wall that was being worked on acted like an acoustical magnifier for the noise. REALLY LOUD. I had to put my fingers in my ears, just to pass by. Dear OP: I sympathize with you, wholeheartedly. Don't pay any attention to the persons who are unable to understand what you are being subjected to, on this beautiful Saturday. As far as I know, all construction work within City limits is allowed on Saturday, from 7am to 5pm. My sympathies.
COMMENT 323056	2012-09-22 03:08 PM
Who's angry 053? Don't see anyone getting angry nor do I see an off color response - everyone is just stating the facts that construction is allowed on weekends within the law. We've all had to deal with it at some point in our lives. It's not the end of the world. But I agree - it's strange to start a complaint post when you could go for a walk, take a drive to the beach, catch a movie. Just sayin'......
COMMENT 323071	2012-09-22 03:47 PM
Construction is allowed on Saturdays, but I don't believe it is legal Sundays. There are limited hours that construction is allowed. You can search the City code online or call the building department.
COMMENT 323083P	2012-09-22 04:21 PM
At least you dont have a neighbor on Mint Ln in Goleta that thinks its cool to idle his tractor all day for his neighbors to enjoy.
COMMENT 323085	2012-09-22 04:28 PM
My understanding was 7-5 p.m. during weekdays, 8-4 on weekends, Sat AND Sunday (tho most construction crews dont' work on Sundays.) It's a short-term issue, so be thankful that you aren't working on a project yourself and try to hang tough until it's over.
COMMENT 323088	2012-09-22 04:33 PM
i live in an apt where you can hear every foot step above you. This girl walks like a horse. I don't think she gets it...If you can hear it i can hear it. Thank god they don't play laud music, so i take the good with the bad and so should you.
COMMENT 323095	2012-09-22 04:46 PM
088 - maybe you should ask if you can go up there and pet her baby elephants
COMMENT 323096	2012-09-22 04:47 PM
As a property owner/taxpayer, you have no expectation of having any rights whatsoever. What I recommend you do is call the P.D. and tell them you are either a tourist or an OC developer, then they will handle it.
COMMENT 323122	2012-09-22 05:24 PM
096, that's a bit much. You are just stirring the pot and not really adding anything helpful to the OP, but I'm sure you don't really care!
COMMENT 323130	2012-09-22 05:51 PM
Go over there with a clip board and ask to see their permits.
COMMENT 323174	2012-09-22 07:28 PM
Tell them how happy they should be to have work.
COMMENT 323179	2012-09-22 07:42 PM
well If you do that 130 they may ask for ID and who you are?
COMMENT 323203	2012-09-22 08:47 PM
You can be anybody and ask them to see their permits. You don't have to have a license to ask. Duh!
COMMENT 323208	2012-09-22 08:56 PM
That sounds like a legal bit of work....my neighbors are turning a shed into a living quarter.....complete with new roof etc. Anyone know the phone number to report an illegal dwelling?
COMMENT 323212P	2012-09-22 09:06 PM
Noise pollution is annoying; some of us have work at home jobs or work the night shift. Guess we'll have to buy ear plugs. Hope the new building is nicer looking than the one recently built at State and Valerio, across from IHOP. What is going to be built at this construction site ? And let's hope it has sufficient parking.
COMMENT 323242	2012-09-23 07:29 AM
No laws about working on Saturday. Perhaps they are home owners and do this on their weekends off. Wander over their neighbor and give a hand.
COMMENT 323260	2012-09-23 08:22 AM
Well that depend's on the type of work being performed, if the work is for protection of ones own personal property ,Although the local municipality would like for you to believe there is a need for a permit in such situation,Such as I was led to believe,However being in that situation once ,I was told by a Building Inspector off the record that they can not stop one from protecting their own property in events's such as one that might be considered emergency situation,If that's the case they are also exempt from working weekends,However should have common respect for their neighbor's ....As for recourse you could contact the planning and development dept but you will not be kept private. Choose wisely
COMMENT 323309	2012-09-23 10:34 AM
My son's property backs up to that construction/demolition site, and I agree, it is absolutely deafening, and I get piles of dusty debris on my car if I park there, but that's the price we pay. None of us are happy that it's going on, and it will be for some time. We either get busy and ignore it, or go out and enjoy Santa Barbara at the beach, the zoo, or whatever strikes our fancy! Focusing on it just makes it worse in our minds that it needs to be.
COMMENT 323319	2012-09-23 11:22 AM
Give the guys a 12 pack of beer and tell them to try and keep the noise down.....You might be happy with the outcome.
COMMENT 323331	2012-09-23 12:53 PM
I sympathize. And welcome to my world. i live on the corner 1/2 a block from the huge, new project just off State on Victoria. Senior complex. Several people in my building have already gotten sick from the dust, and our lives here are miserable. Not all have cars, nor are able to just get out during the day. There is a posted notice that work will only be done between 7:00 and 5:00, weekdays. Builder not adhering to that; one of our people called the Public Works Department who said they don't have enough inspectors to enforce times of construction. And worse, a sign is up at the Arlington parking lot - Notice of development. Further, Magellans at Sola and Chapala is moving and that building will be torn down, condos put in. I'm moving.
COMMENT 323361	2012-09-23 02:47 PM
I found this just by typing in City of Santa Barbara construction hours-- super easy web search. If they are working outside those hours, call the City Building dept. Note that noise generating work can occur on any day (weekends included) from 700am-800pm CODE PROVISION: Santa Barbara Municipal Code, Section 9.16.015, makes it unlawful for any person, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. of any day and 7:00 a.m. of the following day, to erect, construct, demolish, excavate for, alter or repair any building or structure if the noise level created is in excess of the ambient noise level by 5 decibels at the nearest property line of a property used for residential purposes unless a special permit has been applied for and granted by the Chief Building Official.
COMMENT 323381	2012-09-23 03:57 PM
361 - interesting to read this. I live in SB county (noleta) and we had to keep our construction hours limited to 7 - 5 six days a week (don't know about Sunday as both my contractor and I always wanted one day a week off). There were exceptions for emergency work, like tarping an opened roof in the rain, but sounds like the city of Santa Barbara allows longer hours than the county. We had only one neighbor complain during our remodel and wouldn't you know that its was the same neighbor who made any noise she wanted any time of the day or night.
COMMENT 323574	2012-09-24 10:10 AM
Here is a better idea. Bring some cold drinks, say hi, ask how long this will go on for and find out what to prepare fore but ask if they might consider the noise. Seek to understand befor being understood..... Na, just sit and bitch about it.
COMMENT 324026	2012-09-25 03:03 PM
Okay, I happen to live next to the same construction site (my entire property boarders the site...my bedroom window is about 5 feet away from the fence). I also happen to be gone a lot for work and other activities during the week and weekend. That being said, I'd like to invite anyone saying "suck it up" regarding the noise over to my house to see if they can handle even one hour of the noise. It is EXTREMELY loud (jackhammers echoing off cement walls loud), it is constant (M-F 730-530, Sat 8-4), and it will be going of for over a year and a half. I for one am not happy about it, but I also realize I can't do anything about it. So please, be a little more sympathetic to the people dealing with it...a walk on the beach isn't going to do S@#T.
COMMENT 324039	2012-09-25 03:34 PM
@026 If the OP wanted sympathy, they shouldn't be complaining on the internet about something residents like you admit they are powerless against.
COMMENT 325777	2012-09-29 09:39 AM
So all those people who say "just deal with it" have never wanted to relax on a Saturday after working all week. Have you ever been woken up by a jackhammer at 8am? Come by my house..I will even give you a cup of coffee.

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