With the uncertainty of having electrical power during hot summer months, the Williams City Council has amended its zoning code to increase noise limits to allow for emergency back-up generators.
The change will allow homes to install permanent generators that will come on automatically during a power failure or public safety power shutoff, city officials said.
“Our current noise ordinance doesn’t even allow for the quietest generators,” said Katheryn Ramsaur, assistant city planner.
Ramsaur introduced the changes after PG&E predicted that energy demands, possibly from climate change, could continue to fall short, particularly after sunset, which deprives energy providers of solar energy.
Ramsaur found that the typical emergency generator runs between 50dBA and 80dBa, but that the city’s current ordinance only allows for a maximum of 55 dBA during daytime hours, preventing most generator usage in the event of an emergency.
The city did allow portable generators to be used for short periods of time during power outages.
The new ordinance – allowing for permanent installation of back-up generators – will allow up to 75 disciples of noise, day or night.
The adjustments to the city’s zoning code have been incorporated into sections dealing with General Environmental Standards.
The ordinance, which the City Council approved Oct. 19, goes into effect mid-November. ■