N.1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON
ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITIES AND THE
FINALIZATION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES
AMENDING REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
TITLE 10 CHAPTER 2 ZONING AND LAND USE AND
THE TITLE 10 CHAPTER 5 COASTAL LAND
USE PLAN IMPLEMENTING ORDINANCE PERTAINING
TO SETBACKS FOR ACCESSORY
STRUCTURES IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES, INCLUDING
ACCESSORY BUILDINGS AND DWELLING
UNITS, AND STANDARDS FOR BUILDING AND OTHER
PROJECTIONS IN ALL ZONES
REDONDO BEACH CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2022
1 BUILDING AND OTHER PROJECTIONS IN ALL ZONES
REVISED CODE – LATEST VERSION FROM JULY 5, 2022
10-2 [and 5 for coastal].1522 Building and other projections in all zones. (2) All residential zones.
g. Mechanical and Plumbing Equipment. For the purpose of this section, air conditioners and ventilation fans are considered mechanical equipment; whereas, water heaters, tankless water heaters, and water softeners are considered plumbing equipment. Mechanical equipment, plumbing equipment, and other equipment deemed as similar by the Community Development Director, may project into required setbacks subject to Administrative Design Review (Section 10-2 [and 5 for coastal].2500) as follows:
1. Rear setback and setback between buildings. Mechanical equipment and plumbing equipment may project into a required rear setback or required setback between buildings, other than new construction.
2. Side Setback. Plumbing equipment except water softeners may project up to one half the required side yard setbacks, or thirty (30) inches, whichever is less. Mini-split air conditioners Air conditioners may project up to one half the required side yard setbacks, or thirty (30) inches, whichever is less, other than new construction.
3. Noise. Mechanical equipment and plumbing equipment within the required setbacks shall not emit sound at a level greater than 55 decibels or have a manufacturer rating exceeding 55 decibels comply with and have manufacturer ratings not to exceed 55 decibels. The decibel level is measured immediately adjacent to the location of the equipment placement, not at a distance from the equipment.
4. Screening. Mechanical and plumbing equipment within the required setbacks shall be screened from public view. 2
RESEARCH ON NOISE ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITIES
• LAPD Sound Monitoring Device Demonstration
• Costs:
• Devices $6,000 each + $1,000 yearly maintenance
• Significant training commitment to effectively operate devices • Challenges with existing Noise Ordinance:
• Investigation of loud sound involves comparison of ambient sound levels to when the complaint noise introduced.
• Current sound decibel benchmarks in code outdated (from 1976). • When measuring at night, ambient is significantly lower and introduced noise typically will exceed comparison threshold permitted.
3 RECOMMENDATION
• Direct staff to return with an item describing an approach to update the ambient levels in current noise ordinance.
• Direct staff to return with appropriate modifications to Municipal Code that will allow for sustained noise regulation enforcement.
• Finalize ordinance as an interim solution to only allow mechanical and electrical equipment within the rear yard setback or, for multi-family structures, the setback between buildings and that the equipment be located no closer than 10 feet from the property line. Ordinance to be brought back for adoption at future meeting.
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