Noise
The Noise Element outlines the goals and policies related to the noise environment in the Palmdale community.
For additional information regarding this element, please contact:
Chapter Highlights
Learn About
Goals and Policies
Learn About
Noise Exposure
N-1.1 Future Noise Levels. Use the state-recommended noise level guidelines shown in Figure 16.1 to determine the compatibility of proposed land uses with the existing and future noise environment of each proposed development site.
N-1.2 Restrict Land Uses. Restrict noise sensitive land uses near existing or future air, rail, or highway transportation noise sources unless mitigation measures have been incorporated into the design of the project to reduce the noise levels at the noise sensitive land use to less than 65 dBA CNEL at all exterior living spaces including but not limited to, single-family yards and multi-family patios, balconies, pool areas, cook-out areas and related private recreation areas.
N-1.3 Acoustical Analysis for Stationary Noise Sources. When proposed stationary noise sources could exceed an exterior noise level of 65 dBA CNEL at the property line or could impact future noise sensitive land uses, require preparation of an acoustical analysis and mitigation measures to reduce exterior noise levels to no more than 65 dBA CNEL at the property line.
N-1.4 Noise Abatement Strategies. Explore the use of noise abatement strategies such as natural barriers, sound walls, and other buffers to mitigate excessive noise.
N-1.5 Quiet Zones. Where deemed appropriate, restrict train horn noise by establishing quiet zones within Palmdale based on Train Horn Rule (49 CFR Part 222).
N-2.1 Extreme Noise Sources. Avoid locating new extreme noise sources adjacent to noise sensitive land uses unless mitigation measures can mitigate noise impacts to the sensitive uses.
N-2.2 Restrict Construction Activities. Restrict construction activities in the vicinity of sensitive receptors during the evening, early morning, and weekends and holidays.
N-2.3 Maintain Acceptable Noise Environments. Utilize any or all the following measures to maintain acceptable noise environments throughout the city:
- Control of noise at its source, including noise barriers and other muffling devices built into the noise source.
- Provision of buffer areas and/or wide setbacks between the noise source and other development.
- Reduction of densities, where practical, adjacent to the noise source (freeway, airport, railroad).
- Use of sound insulation, blank walls, double paned windows and other design or architectural techniques to reduce interior noise levels.
- Designation of appropriate land uses adjacent to known noise sources.
N-2.4 Acoustical Analysis for Noise Sensitive Land Uses. Where deemed appropriate based upon available information, require acoustical analysis and appropriate mitigation for noise-sensitive land uses proposed in areas that may be adversely impacted by significant intermittent noise sources. Such noise sources may include but not be limited to railroads, racetracks, stadiums, aircraft overflights and similar uses.
N-2.5 High Speed Rail and Palmdale Airport. As necessary, participate in future planning for the High-Speed Rail and the Palmdale Airport expansion to ensure that neither facility creates noise conditions that adversely affect residents, businesses, or visitors.
Compatible Land Uses
N-3.1 Frequent Overflight Area. Designate and permit employment flex, industrial, aerospace industrial, and similar uses within the 65 dBA CNEL contour and the Frequent Overflight Area.
N-3.2 Areas Within 65 dBA CNEL. Restrict noise sensitive land uses (such as residential uses, religious institutions, schools, assisted living facilities, or similar uses) within areas designated within both the 65 dBA CNEL contour and the Frequent Overflight Area, unless mitigation measures prevent adverse health impacts from high noise emissions.
N-3.3 Areas Outside 65 dBA CNEL. In areas outside of the 65 dBA CNEL contours but within the Frequent Overflight Area, encourage land uses that are not noise-sensitive, to the extent feasible.
N-3.4 Require Disclosure Statement. Through the development review process, require a disclosure statement indicating that the property is subject to frequent overflight and aircraft noise upon sale of property within the Accident Potential Zone (APZ) and Air Installations Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ).
N-3.5 Aviation Easement. Through conditions of approval, require that any owner of property within the 65 dBA CNEL noise contour or the low altitude overflight area of Plant 42 seeking a land use action from the City to provide an aviation easement to the Los Angeles Department of Airports, the U.S. Air Force, and the City of Palmdale.
Circulation
N-4.1 Coordinate with Caltrans. Coordinate with Caltrans to implement noise mitigation measures, such as sound barrier walls, in the design, improvement, or expansion of freeways and major roadways.
N-4.2 Assess Noise Environment in Residential Areas. Regularly assess the noise environment in residential areas related to heavy vehicle traffic to determine if adjustments should be made to transportation routes.
N-4.3 Insulate Sensitive Receivers. Implement traffic calming and traffic diversion measures across the City to insulate sensitive land uses from freeway and roadway noise.
N-4.4 Protect Disadvantaged Community Members. Prohibit new high noise generating uses in disadvantaged communities, as feasible.
My Neighborhood Map
Desired Targets and Outcomes
OUTCOME: Minimize noise exposure and noise generation near noise sensitive uses.*
Space
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:
- Noise sensitive uses near major noise generators.
Space
TARGET:
- No noise sensitive uses (e.g., residences, schools, hospitals) in areas where noise from freeways, high traffic volume roads, rail activity, or the airport exceeds 65 dBA CNEL.
Space
*Note that the City only constitutes a portion of the local air basin so the City lacks complete control over this outcome.
OUTCOME: Noise levels for all new development are within the “Normally Acceptable” range or the “Conditionally Acceptable” range.
Space
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:
- Acceptable noise levels.
- Construction and operational noise exposure for noise-sensitive land uses.
Space
TARGET:
- Ensure that noise levels for all new development are within the “Normally Acceptable” or the “Conditionally Acceptable” range by ensuring design features can achieve the applicable interior and exterior noise standards.
- Minimize exposure of noise-sensitive land uses to excessive construction and operational noise.
OUTCOME: Minimize noise exposure and noise generation near noise sensitive uses.
Space
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:
- Noise sensitive uses near major noise generators.
Space
TARGET:
- No noise sensitive uses (e.g., residences, schools, hospitals) in areas where noise from freeways, high traffic volume roads, rail activity, or the airport exceeds 65 dBA CNEL.
OUTCOME: Noise levels for all new development are within the “Normally Acceptable” range or the “Conditionally Acceptable” range.
Space
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:
- Acceptable noise levels.
- Construction and operational noise exposure for noise-sensitive land uses.
Space
TARGET:
- Ensure that noise levels for all new development are within the “Normally Acceptable” or the “Conditionally Acceptable” range by ensuring design features can achieve the applicable interior and exterior noise standards.
- Minimize exposure of noise-sensitive land uses to excessive construction and operational noise.
