ORIGINAL: skerrin
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A subjective nuisance can, however, be declared in the absence of a properly documented sound survey:
SEC. 36.414. GENERAL NOISE REGULATIONS. (of the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances
(a) General Prohibitions. In the absence of objective measurement by use of a sound level meter, additionally it shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue, or cause to be made or continued, within the limits of said County, any disturbing, excessive or offensive noise which causes discomfort or annoyance to reasonable persons of normal sensitivity residing in the area.
It goes on to list the various transgressions. Bottom line is that no club or flying field is immune to attack on the basis of noise. Even though we enforce 90 dB at 9 feet and we have documented sound surveys at the boundaries, an attack could still be mounted that we could not afford to fight.
We have successfully fought off complaints in the past. Recently, a developer has begun to build some $million-plus hovels within a half mile of the field. I hope they are well insulated and the patios are on the west side.
SK
For anyone interested in the 'how to' of the sound surveys skerrin mentioned, the first one conducted is documented in the 'Sound Advice' column in the AMA News section of the November 1999 Model Aviation. The MA archives are a bit awkward to navigate on the AMA site; probably the easiest way to get there is to search on AMA News November 1999 and page forward to his article.
As he pointed out above, in the absence of objective measurement the law basically reverts to subjective judgement of whomever is in charge of the hearing. Forewarned is forearmed. Nothing is certain when you are dealing with the civil laws and well-heeled opponents, except that if you are not prepared to answer to them you will certainly lose.
Abel