Commerce City staff proposes noise limits by district
The proposal would set property-line limits from 50 to 75 A-weighted decibels, depending on district and time of day.
Commerce City staff is asking City Council to support drafting a noise ordinance with property-line limits that vary by district and time of day. For residential and average-use areas, staff recommends a limit of 55 dBA during the day and 50 dBA overnight. Staff’s communication describes the request as consensus-building on a draft ordinance.
The Sept. 28 council agenda schedules the item for a study session. Staff is seeking direction to draft an ordinance, not asking the council to adopt final limits at this meeting.
The proposed limits use A-weighted decibels (dBA). Staff recommends measuring them at the property line:
| District | Daytime limit | Overnight limit |
|---|---|---|
| Residential/average use | 55 dBA | 50 dBA |
| Commercial | 60 dBA | 55 dBA |
| Light industrial | 70 dBA | 65 dBA |
| Heavy industrial | 75 dBA | 75 dBA |
Staff says numerical limits could give officers a more objective standard for evaluating noise complaints. It also recommends buying noise meters and clarifying which activities would be exempt.
The proposed A-weighted limits would not address bass-heavy sound measured using the C-weighting scale. Staff says it is researching how other communities handle low-frequency noise and vibration; sample code language in the presentation is not a proposed Commerce City rule.
The Sept. 28 agenda lists the item as a study-session discussion.