Event Noise in the Greater Los Angeles Area

Nowadays, many buildings tend to have spaces for special events and are often located near to residential areas. The potential for conflict between special event venues and residential land uses is great due to permissive local zoning (allowing special events within residential or open space zoning) and non-specific noise ordinances. In addition, it is difficult to estimate event related noise impacts since noise levels from event related activities are not consistent, largely fluctuate with time, and frequently extend into late night hours.

At NMS, we can provide event noise analysis and mitigation measure recommendations. When regulatory agencies do not have noise standards for event related noise levels, noise level limits would be proposed based on ambient sound levels and human sensitivity to noise during the event hours. We can evaluate event related noise impacts on nearby noise sensitive uses. For planned events we can predict impacts using event noise levels obtained from mock events, similar or current events, and reference data from noise study reports. When significant impacts are identified various mitigation measures can be proposed including noise barriers, limits on operational hours and real-time noise monitoring, etc.