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Construction Noise Regulations
updated: Oct 07, 2012, 2:40 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

Does anyone know what, if any, regulations there are regarding construction noise in a residential neighborhood? The property next door to us is vacant and was sold recently, the new owner is currently renovating the home. Jackhammering and skill-saws are ringing throughout the area...is this allowed on weekends?

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

EMUWREN1	2012-10-07 03:04 PM
This was discussed on Edhat only last week, re: construction project on State St, above Valerio. I can tell you for certain that construction within the City limits is not allowed on Sundays. Saturdays, the work must stop at 4pm. That is what one seemingly better informed poster wrote. If I were you, I would call the Building Dept on Monday, City or County, depending on your address, and learn the days and times. Or you could always look it up online. (For me, sometimes it is easier just to call.) Be aware that if you tell the Building Dept anything about construction going on, and if you tell them where-----the clerk will likely file a "complaint" with your name on it. Be careful of that, as then your neighbor will find this out and . . .
COMMENT 328939P	2012-10-07 03:05 PM
I believe the law says construction noise is allowed 8am to 4pm on weekends and 7am to 5pm on weekdays. So, the answer would be - Yes, it is allowed. If it is the homeowner doing the work any time is OK.
COMMENT 328946	2012-10-07 03:20 PM
9.16.015 Construction Work at Night. It shall be 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 thereby is in excess of the ambient noise level by 5 dBA at the nearest property line of a property used for residential purposes unless a special permit therefor has been applied for
COMMENT 328947	2012-10-07 03:22 PM
I don't understand this intolerance of neighbours wanting to improve or build on their properties. If it was us doing it we would expect our neighbour's to be neighbourly and accept that the work is temporary and will terminate when the project is complete. Alas to do for others as we expect them to do for us is no longer a value stressed in the social vernacular. Rather than skulk out to the Building Dept and complain without your name appearing on any forms, as suggested, why not go talk to your neighbour and ask about the project, the plans, the vision for the property and eventually get to how long it will take to complete. You will establish a relationship with him/her rather than maintain this confrontational/antagonistic stance.
COMMENT 328953P	2012-10-07 03:36 PM
950, but this question has come up more than once this year.
COMMENT 328968	2012-10-07 04:21 PM
Forget about noise. How about if you had the most hideous DIY project ever being built on your block. Four years later and it looks worse than the first year. We are all scratching our heads as how did the City ever approve this mess.
COMMENT 328970	2012-10-07 04:27 PM
947, it's not the responsibility of the people you're disturbing to seek you out. the responsibility should be on the neighbor doing the construction to let all neighbors that might be affected by the noise know what they are doing, how long they will be doing it, and who to contact if the noise is a problem. If there's a problem, they should be willing to do whatever it takes to solve it because they're the ones disturbing people. That is a considerate neighbor.
COMMENT 328973P	2012-10-07 04:46 PM
OP here, okay, take a deep breath (me). Mine was not a complaint, but rather a query. Sorry, I must have missed the recent question, rendering mine redundant, so sue me. I don't now, nor have I ever, resided in the OC, we've lived at the same Noleta address for over 30 years. Yes, we did a remodel to our home 20 years ago, however, we were UBER sensitive to the neighbors, NO work was done on weekends, ever. Work started at 8:30 am and was done by 4:00 pm each day. We do not know the owners, we've only seen the lone laborer that is doing the work, piecemeal. We are not complainers, and would be happy to speak with the absentee owners, but have yet to meet them. We are happy the dilapidated property is being renovated...btw, it consists of 4 separate rental units, another story entirely. I don't feel it's too much to ask, not to be subjected to constant noise on the only day off (Sunday) we enjoy at our home. Btw, as I write this (5:00 pm) it's still going strong...
COMMENT 328974	2012-10-07 04:47 PM
968 - corner of Turnpike & Glenbrook/Halkirk & Glenbrook?
COMMENT 328981P	2012-10-07 05:02 PM
974 There's another one? Shoreline Drive.
NATURE BOY	2012-10-07 05:33 PM
OP: Sorry some of the respondents were harsh on ya. I agree that you were only making an inquiry. Seems from the helpful answers that construction is not allowed between 8PM and 7AM if it involves excessive noise; otherwise, it is allowed any day/time (i.e. you can install carpet at 3AM on Sunday, as long as you're not making noise). Hang in there.
COMMENT 329016P	2012-10-07 07:09 PM
Actually construction projects are subject to project specific conditions and most prohibit work on sundays. Contact the City's community development department for project specific conditions.
CAPTAIN HALEY	2012-10-07 07:17 PM
Actually if you are in Noleta you are under County jurisdiction, not City. Contact the County authorities Tuesday (Monday is a holiday) and get the proper information from them.
COMMENT 329019P	2012-10-07 07:18 PM
Ummm tomorrow is not a holiday. I wish.
COMMENT 329022	2012-10-07 07:21 PM
Monday, October 8th is Columbus Day. One of ten federal holidays.
COMMENT 329024	2012-10-07 07:25 PM
Yea not a county or city or state holiday )-;
NATURE BOY	2012-10-07 07:36 PM
Doesn't a Federal holiday supersede any state, county, or city holidays? Federal holidays are nationwide.
COMMENT 329032P	2012-10-07 07:48 PM
Nope. Each jurisdiction or corporation determines its own. Obviously the major holidays tend to be consistent,
COMMENT 329064	2012-10-07 08:43 PM
Here's a thought for those who were super hostile to the OP: if work being done is in violation of construction work hours it may be a tip off of illegal/non-permitted work that's being done in a substandard manner. Why care? Because illegal additions can result in illegal occupancy (or pot grow houses) that lower the value of your home. I have seen former single family homes that had been illegally subdivided and rented to scores of people in more than one Goleta neighborhood. We all know what those houses do to the neighborhood. How people still get away with doing this is beyond me.
COMMENT 329109P	2012-10-08 07:25 AM
964: ???? Use the buttons and spare us your words. 'They are eloquent who can speak low things acutely, and of great things with dignity, and of moderate things with temper.' — Cicero, Roman orator, statesman, philosopher and writer.
COMMENT 329135	2012-10-08 08:26 AM
@981P: yeah, that one on Shoreline is butt ugly and taking forever to finish. Talk about an eyesore!

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