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HomeMy WebLinkAbout40531 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 III 14 15' 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Ordinance Na. 4453 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF BUTTE ADDING CHAPTER 41A TO THE BUTTE COUNTY CODE RELATING TO NOISE CONTROL The Board of Supervisors of the County of Butte ordains as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 41A is hereby added to the Butte County Code to read as follows: Chapter 41A NOISE CONTROL ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS 41A-1 Title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE" of Butte County. 41A-2 F3nd~.ngs. The Butte County Board of Supervisors finds: {a} Excessive, unnecessary or offensive noise within the County is detrimental to the public health, safety, welfare and the peace and quiet of the inhabitants of the County and therefore is declared a nuisance; and (b) Every person in the County is entitled to live in an 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1.5 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 environment free from excessive, unnecessary or offensive noise levels; and (c} The establishment of maximum permissible noise levels will further the public health, safety, welfare, peace and quiet of County inhabitants. 41A-3 Purpose and Intent. The purpose of the Noise Control Ordinance is to assess complaints of noise alleged to exceed County standards as set forth by the Noise Element of the Butte County General Plan anal the Noise Control Ordinance and to address violations of these standards. 41A-4 Definitions. The following words, phrases and terms as used in this chapter shall have the following meanings: (a} "Ambient noise level" means the all-encompassing noise level associated with a given environment, being a composite of sounds from all sources, excluding the alleged :offensive noise, at the location and approximate time at which a comparison with the alleged offensive noise is to be made. (b} "County" means the unincorporated area of the County of Butte. (c) "Decibel" or "dB" means a unit used to express the relative intensity of a sound as it is heard by the human ear. The lowest volume a normal ear can detect under laboratory conditions is 0 dB, the threshold of human hearing. Since the 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1& 17 18 19 2a 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 decibel scale is logarithmic, 10 decibels are ten times more intense and 20 decibels are a hundred times more intense than 1 Idb. (d} "Emergency work° means the use of any machinery, equipment, vehicle, manpower or other activity in an effort to protect, maintain, provide or restore safe conditions in the community or for citizenry, or work by private or public utilities when restoring utility service. (e) "Impulsive noise" means a noise characterized by sound pressures whose peak levels are very much greater than the ambient noise level, such as might be produced by the impact of a pile driver, punch press or a drop hammer, typically with one second or less duration. (f) "Leq" or "Equivalent Sound Level" means the average of sound energy occurring over a specified period. The Leq is equivalent to the same average acoustical energy as the time- varying sound that actually occurs during a specified period. (g) "Noise level" means the "A" weighted sound pressure level in decibels obtained by using a sound level meter at slow response with a reference pressure of twenty micropascals. A fast meter response shall be used for impulsive noise. The unit of measurement shall be designated as "dBA." (h} "Noise Sensitive Area" means the part of the property where noise sensitivity exists. Far example, the parking lot of a movie theater or office building is not considered noise sensitive, but the interior areas of the theaters and office are considered noise sensitive. 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1a 11 12 '~ 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 (i) "Non-Urban designations" are the Agriculture {AG), Timber Mountain (TM), Resource Conservation {RC}, Foothill Residential {FR), and Rural Residential {RR} General Plan designations. All other General Plan designations are considered "Urban Designations". {j} "Off--Road Vehzcles" are vehicles operated in areas other than public roadways or right-of-way. {k) "Person" means a person, firm, association, co- partnership, joint venture, corporation, or any entity, public or private in nature. {1) °Residential property" means a parcel of real property which is developed and used either in part or in whole for residential purposes, other than transient uses such as hotels and motels. (m) "Simple tone noise" or "pure tone noise" means a noise characterized by the presence of a predominant frequency or frequencies such as might be produced by whistle, squeal, ;screech, or hum, for example. {n} "Sound level meter" means an instrument meeting American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Standard 51.4-1971 for Type 2 sound level meters that is calibrated utilizing an acoustical calibrator meeting American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Type 2 standard, performed immediately prior to recording any sound data. Calibration equipment shall be certified annually. {o) "Sound pressure level" means a sound pressure level of a soura.d, in decibels, as defined in ANSI Standards 51.2-1962 4 i 2 3 4 5 6 7 S 9 10 11 12 13 14 1.5 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 and 51.13-1921. It is computed as ten times the logarithm of the source sound pressure divided by a reference sound pressure. {p} "Zoning" or "Zon.es" means any of the zones specified in Part 1, Article 3, Table 24-11-1, Base Zones of the Butte County Boning Ordinance as such zones are presently identified therein and as they may be subsequently modified or altered. ARTICLE II. NOISE REGULATIONS 41A-~5 General Noise Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter and' in addition thereto, it is unlawful for any person to willfully make or continue or cause to be made ar continued any excessive, unnecessary or offensive noise levels, which disturbs the peace anal quiet of any neighbarhaod or which causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity residing in the area. The standards which shall be considered in determining whether a violation of the provisions of this section exists shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (a} The sound level of the objectionable noise; {b} The proximity of the noise to residential uses; (c} The time of day or night the noise occurs; (d} The duration of the noise and its tonal informational or musical content; and (e} Whether the noise is continuous, recurrent or 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9, 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 lintermittent. 41A-6 Noise Level Measurement Generally. (a) Any noise level measurements made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be performed using a sound level meter as defined herein. (b) The location selected far measuring exterior noise levels shall be at a point at least one foot inside the property line of the affected residential property closest to the noise source or where the noise level is greatest. Where feasible, the microphone shall be at a height of five feet above ground level and shall be at least four feet from walls or similar reflecting surfaces. In the case of interior noise measurements, the windows shall be closed and the measurement shall be made at a point at least four feet from the wall, ceiling or floor nearest the affected occupied area. The exact location of the sound measurements shall be at the discretion of the enforcement officer. 141A--7 Extea~ior Noise Standards . (a) The following noise standards, unless otherwise specifically indicated in this chapter, shall apply to all noise :sensitive exterior areas within Butte County. '~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1a 31 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Daytime (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ) Noise Level Descriptor (7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ) Nighttime (10 p.m. to a.m.) Designation Non- Urban Urban Hourly Average (Leq} Maximum {Lm~) Non- Non- Urban Urban Urban Urban 55 50 50 45 45 40 70 60 60 55 55 50 (b) It is unlawful for any person at any location within the County to create any noise which causes the noise levels on an affected property, when measured in the designated exterior location, to exceed the noise standards specified above. (c) Each of the noise limits specified in subdivision {a) of this section shall be reduced by five dBA for recurring impulsive noise, simple or pure tone noise, or for noises consisting of speech or music. (d) Noise level standards, which are up to 5 dBA less than those specified above, based upon determination of existing low ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project site may ',be imposed. (e) Tn urban areas, the exterior noise level standard shall be applied to the property line of the receiving property. In non-urban areas, the exterior noise level. standard shall be applied at a point 100 feet away from the residence or at the 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1.0 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1$ 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 property line if the residence is closer than 100 feet. The above standards shall be measured only on property containing a noise sensitive land use. 41A-8 Interior Noise Standards. {a} The following noise standards, unless otherwise specifically indicated in this chapter, shall apply to all noise sensitive interior areas within Butte County. Daytime Evening Nighttime Noise Level {7 a.m. to 7 (7 p.m. to 10 {10 p.m. to 7 Descriptor p.m.) p.m.} a.m.) Hourly Average 45 40 35 { Leq 1 Maximum { Lm~) 6 0 5 5 5 0 {b) It is unlawful for any person at any location within the County to create any noise which causes the noise levels on an affected property, when measured in the designated interior noise sensitive area, to exceed the noise standards specified above. {c) Each of the noise limits specified in subdivision {a} of this section shall be reduced by five dBA for recurring impulsive noise, simple or pure tone noise, or for noises consisting of speech or music. 41A-9 I3xemptions. The following activities shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter: 8 1' 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 1a 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 (a} School bands, school athletic and school entertainment events between the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; (b) Temporary activities such as Outdoor gatherings, public dances, shows and sporting and entertainment events, iprovided said events are conducted pursuant to a license or permit by the County, between the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. unless otherwise set forth in the license or permit; (c} Uses permitted in the Sports and Entertainment (SE) zone and Recreation Commercial Overlay (-REC) zone between the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; (d) Activities conducted on parks, public playgrounds and school grounds, provided such parks, playgrounds and school grounds are owned and operated by a public entity or private school between the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; (e) Any mechanical device, apparatus or equipment related to or connected with emergency activities or emergency work; (f} Noise sources associated with construction, repair, remodeling, demolition, paving or grading of any real property or public works project located within 1,000 feet of residential uses, provided said activities do not take place between the following hours: • Sunset to sunrise on weekdays and non-holidays; • Friday commencing at 6:00 p.m. through and including 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, as well as not before 8:00 a.m. on holidays; • Saturday commencing at 6:00 p.m. through and including 10:00 a.m. on Sunday; and, 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1a 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2a 21 22 23 24 25 2& 27 • Sunday after the hour of 6:00 p.m. Provided, however, when an unforeseen ar unavoidable condition occurs during a construction project and the nature of the project necessitates that work in process be continued until a specific phase is completed, the contractor or owner shall be allowed to continue work into the hours delineated above and to operate machinery and equipment necessary to complete the specific work in progress until that specific work can be brought to conclusion under conditions which will not jeopardize inspection acceptance or create undue financial hardships for (the contractor or owner; (g) Noise sources associated with agricultural and timber management operations in zones permitting agricultural and timber management uses; (h) All mechanical devices, apparatus or equipment which are utilized for the protection or salvage of agricultural crops during periods of adverse weather conditions or when the use of mobile noise sources is necessary for pest control; (i} Noise sources associated with maintenance of residential area property, provided said activities take place between 7:00 a.m. to sunset on any day except Saturday, Sunday, ar a holiday, or between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday; and, provided machinery is fitted with correctly functioning sound suppression equipment; (j) Any activity, to the extent provisions of Chapter 65 'of Title 42 of the United States Code, and Articles 3 and 3.5 of (Chapter 4 of Division 9 of the Public Utilities Code of the 10 1 2 3 5 5 7 8 9' 10 11 12 13 14 15 1& 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 State of California preempt local control of noise regulations and land use regulations related to noise control of airports and their surrounding geographical areas, any noise source associated with the construction, development, manufacture, maintenance, testing or operation of any aircraft engine, or of any weapons system or subsystems which are owned, operated or under the jurisdiction of the United States, or any other activity to the extent regulation thereof has been preempted by state or federal law or regulation; (k) Any noise sources associated with the maintenance and operation of aircraft or airports which are owned or operated by the United States; (1) Private recreational activities (including off-road vehicle operation and gunfire occurring while hunting or target practice consistent with all State laws on private property} taking place during daytime hours (9:00 am to sunset} that does not exceed an Leq of 65 dBA when measured at any point on the property line over any thirty minute period. 41A-10 Schools, Hospitals and Religious Facilities. It is unlawful for any person to create any noise which causes the noise level at any school, hospital or religious facility, while the same is in use, to exceed the noise standards specified in this chapter or to create any noise which -unreasonably interferes with the use of such institution or :unreasonably disturbs or annoys patients in the hospital. ~~~~ I1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 '' 11 12 13 14 15 1s 17 18 19 2a 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 141A-11 Off-Road Vehicles. Tt is unlawful for any person to operate any recreational off-road vehicle within the County in such a manner that the noise level exceeds the noise standards specified above fat either interior or exterior spaces of noise sensitive areas, or as specified under Exemptions above. All vehicles must have a USDA Forest Service approved, or manufacturer certified, spark arrestor. 41A-12 Barking Dogs. Butte County Animal Control handles complaints concerning barking dogs as set forth in Butte County Code Chapter 4, Animals, Article IA, Barking Dogs, which addresses the abatement of barking dog complaints within the unincorporated areas within the Spheres of Influence of incorporated cities. Sections 4-1.1, Nuisances-Prohibited, and 4-1.2, Same-Defined, prohibit allowing a dog to commit a nuisance in the remaining unincorporated areas, where nuisance is defined in 4-1.2(e) as "Creating a disturbance in a neighborhood by howling, barking or making unusual noises." 41A-13 Waste Disposal Vehicles. No collection activities shall take place within 500 feet of an area zoned for residential use earlier than 5:30 a.m. or later than 8:00 p.m., or on Sundays or holidays, except in emergencies or with the approval of the Local Enforcement Agency (Butte County Code Chapter 31, Solid Waste Collection, 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 a. o 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 (Management and Recycling}. ARTICLE III. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT 41A-14 Administration. The administration of this chapter is vested in the Butte County Department of Development Services Director. The Director shall be responsible for: (a} Employing individuals trained in acoustical engineering or an equivalent field to assist in the administration of this chapter; (b) Training field inspectors; (c) Procuring measuring instruments and training inspectors in their calibration and operation; {d} Conducting a public education program in all aspects of noise control; (e) Coordinating the noise control program with other governmental agencies. 41A-1.5 Noise Control Program-Recommendations. One year following adoption of this noise ordinance, and every three years thereafter, the Director of Development Services shall evaluate the effectiveness of the noise control program in Butte County and hold a workshop with the Planning Commission to review staff's findings. The Planning Commission shall make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for any needed improvements. 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1,1 12 '' 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2a 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 41A-16 Exemption Request. (a) The owner or operator of a noise source which violates any of the provisions of this chapter may file an application with the Director of Development Services for an Exemption Request from the provisions thereof. The application shall set forth all actions taken to comply with this chapter, the reasons why immediate compliance cannot be achieved, a proposed method for achieving compliance, and a proposed time schedule for its accomplishment. Said application shall be accompanied by a fee as set forth in the Butte County Master Fee Schedule. A separate application shall be filed for each noise source; provided, however, that several mobile sources under common ownership or several fixed sources on a single property may be combined into one application. Upon receipt of said application and fee, the Director of Development Services shall refer the application within ten days to the Zoning Administrator. (b} Upon receipt of an application for an Exemption Request, the Zoning Administrator shall schedule a public hearing, to be conducted within sixty days of receipt of the application. {c) The Zoning Administrator may deny the application far an Exemption Request, may grant an Exemption Request, or may refer any Exemption Request to the Planning Commission for 'review. An Exemption Request may be for a limited period and may be subject to any other terms, conditions and requirements as 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission may deem necessary to achieve maximum compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Such terms, conditions and requirements may include, but shall not be limited to, limitations on noise levels and operating hours. (d} Each Exemption Request shall set forth the approved method of achieving maximum compliance and a time schedule for its accomplishment. The Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission shall consider the magnitude of nuisance caused by the offensive noise, the uses of property within the area affected by the noise, the time factors related to study, design, financing and construction of remedial work, the economic factors related to age and useful life of equipment, and the general public interest and welfare. (e} In deciding whether to grant an Exemption Request, the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission shall consider all facts relating to whether strict compliance with the requirement of this chapter will cause practical difficulties, unnecessary hardship or unreasonable expense and any other relevant considerations. (f) The Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission shall render a decision within thirty days of completion of the hearing. The decision of the Zoning Administrator or Planning ',Commission shall be transmitted to the applicant and to the ,Director of Development Services. /// /// 15 1 2'~i 3 4 5 6 7'~ 8' 9 10 11 12 13 14 l~ 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 41A-17 Appeals. (a} Within ten days following the decision of the Zoning Administrator on an application far an Exemption Request, any person, including the Director of Development Services, may appeal the decision to the Planra.ing Commission. Within ten days following the decision of the Planning Commission on an application for an Exemption Request, any person, including the Director of Development Services, may appeal the decision to the Board of Supervisors. All appeals shall be filed and processed din accordance with Butte County Code Section 24-267, Filing and Processing of Appeals. (b) Within ten days following receipt of a notice of appeal following the decision of the Planning Commission, the Development Services Department shall forward to the Board of Supervisors copies of the application for an Exemption Request and all papers and exhibits concerning said application received by the Zoning Administrator and Planning Commission and their decisions thereon. Any person may file with the Board of Supervisors written arguments in favor of or against said decisions. (c) The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors shall give notice of the date set for hearing of the appeal in the same manner as was done far the initial public hearing. The notice shall be mailed and/or published at least ten days prior to the hearing date. (d) Within thirty days following conduct of the hearing before the Board of Supervisors, the Board shall affirm, modify 16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 S 9 ~o 11 12 13 Z4 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 for reverse the decisions of the Zoning Administrator and Planning Commission. In deciding the appeal, the Board of Supervisors shall evaluate the Exemption Request using the criteria set forth in section 41A-16 (d) & (e}. The Board of Supervisors shall make its decision de novo, but may also direct the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission to conduct further proceedings on said application. 141A-18 Violation. To determine whether there is a violation of this chapter, the County must receive a complaint. The County will review the complaint in accordance with Butte County Code Chapter 41, Code Enforcement, and may investigate and assess whether the alleged noise levels exceed the noise standards set forth in this chapter. If the Department of Development Services has reason to believe that any provision(s) of this chapter has been violated, it shall cause written notice to be served upon the alleged violator. Such notice shall specify the provision(s) of this chapter alleged to have been violated and the facts alleged to constitute a violation, including dBA readings noted and the time and place of their detection, and shall include an order that corrective action be taken within a specified time. If corrective action is not taken within such specified time or any extension thereof approved by the Department of Development Services, the Department shall commence the enforcement process :specified in chapter 41. Upon conviction, the violation shall ;constitute an infraction, pursuant to Butte County Code Section I7 1 2 3 4 5 6' 71 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 41-2, Enforcement Procedures. It is unlawful for any person to refuse to cooperate with or to obstruct any governmental agent, officer ar employee in determining the noise level or the ambient noise level. Such cooperation shall include, but is not limited to, the shutting off or quieting of any noise source so that an ambient noise level can be measured or alternatively the turning on or starting of any noise source that is alleged to exceed standards. 41A-I9 Investigation Cost Recovery. zf the Department of Development Services has reason to believe a violation has occurred and the violation is not corrected through the written notice process, any costs incurred in pursuing the subsequent enforcement process may be recovered from the violator. If the Department of Development Services does not have reason to believe a violation has occurred, the cost of the (first investigation shall be borne by the County. Any costs incurred in investigating subsequent complaints that are determined not to be a vialation shall be borne by the complainant. 41A-20 4thez Remedies. (a) Provisions of this chapter are to be construed as an added remedy of abatement of the nuisance declared and not in conflict or derogation of any other action, proceedings or remedies provided by law. 18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 to 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 (b) Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be, and the same is declared to be unlawful and a nuisance, and the duly constituted authorities of the County shall, upon order of the Board of Supervisors, immediately commence actions or proceedings for the abatement or enjoinment thereof in the manner provided by law and shall take such steps and shall apply to such court or courts as may have jurisdiction to grant such relief as will abate such nuisance. Section 2. Section 41-1 is hereby amended to read as follows: 141-1 Purpose. The following policies and procedures are adopted to implement a program of enforcement of Butte County's zoning, building, sanitation and other ordinances contained in the following chapters of this Code: Chapter 10, Highways and Streets; Chapter 11, Junk Dealers, Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Dealers; Chapter 13, Grading and Mining; Chapter 14, Motor Vehicles and Traffic; Chapter 19, Sewage Disposal; Chapter 23B, Water Wells; Chapter 24, Zoning; Chapter 26, Buildings; Chapter 26A, Underground Utility Districts; Chapter 2$A, Mobilehome and Mobilehome Lot Standards; Chapter 28B, State Housing Law Requirements; Chapter 31, Solid Waste Collection, Management and Recycling; Chapter 32, Naming of Streets and Highways; Numbering Properties and Principal Buildings; Chapter 33, Groundwater Conservation; Chapter 37, Undergrouz~.d Hazardous Substance Storage Facilities; Chapter 41A, Noise Control; and Chapter 50, Stormwater Ordinance. 19 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1a 11 '' 12 13 14 15 16 17 1s 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Section 3. Section ~#1-3 is hereby amended to read as follows: 141-3 Powers and duties of code enforcement officers. (a) Enforcement Duties: Each code enforcement officer shall have the duty to enforce the provisions of Chapters 10, 11., 13, 14, 19, 23B, 24, 25, 26A, 31, 32, 33, 37, 41, 41A, and 150 of this Code. (b) Right of Entry. Whenever necessary to enforce any of the provisions of said chapters, or whenever a code enforcement officer has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in or upon any premises any such violation which makes such premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the code enforcement officer may enter such premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the code enforcement officer by this chapter; provided, that if such premises be occupied, he or she shall first identify himself or herself as a Butte County Code Enforcement Officer and request entry; and if such premises be unoccupied, he or she shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the violator and request entry. If such entry is refused, the code enforcemeza.t officer shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry. (c) Issuance of Citations. (1) Each code enforcement officer is hereby authorized to issue citations for violations of the provisions of the chapters of this Cade which they have the duty to enforce. Upon referral of a matter by the affected department to 'the appropriate code enforcement officer, the code enforcement officer shall contact the alleged violator; and, unless the 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 violation has then been abated, the code enforcement officer shall issue a citation to the violator. {2} Prior to issuance of a citation, the code enforcement officer shall identify himself or herself as a county code enforcement officer. The code enforcement officer shall then request the alleged violator, and the alleged violator shall be required, to present his or her driver's license or other satisfactory evidence of his or her identity far examination. {3} The citation shall state a time and date and place at which the alleged violator shall appear in court to answer the charges stated in the citation. The appearance date shall be at least ten {10} days after the date of the citation. ,Section 4. Section 41-5 is hereby amended to read as follows: 41-5 Violation; pEnalties. (a} Violations Charged and Punished as Infractions: Notwithstanding any provision of this Code to the contrary in Chapters 10, 11, 13, 14, 19, 23B, 24, 25, 26A, 28A, 28B, 31, with the exception of Section 31-53 of Article VII of Chapter 31, 32, 33, 37, 41, 41A, and 50, whenever any provision in any of such chapters provides that any act is prohibited or made or declared to be unlawful or a misdemeanor or an infraction, or requires the doing of any act or declares the failure to do any act unlawful or a misdemeanor or an infraction, the violation of such provision may be charged as an infraction punishable by imposition of the following fines: 21 1 2 3 4 5 6 7I 8'' 9 ~. 0 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 {1) Upon a first conviction, a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00); (2) Upon a second conviction of violating the same chapter of this Code within the twelve (12} month period immediately preceding the commission of the current violation, a fine of two hundred dollars ($2aa.aa); (3} Upon a third conviction of violating the same chapter of this Code within a twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the commission of the current violation, a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00} . (b) Each Day a Separate Offense. Each and every day or portion thereof that a person violates or continues to violate any such provision of any of such chapters constitutes a separate offense and may be charged and punished separately without awaiting conviction of any prior violation. (c) Misdemeanors. Any violation. which may be otherwise charged and punishable as an infraction pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may be charged and punishable as a misdemeanor if the defendant has been convicted of three (3) or more violations of the same chapter of this Code within the twelve (12) month period immediately Section 5. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is for any reason held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity thereof shall not 22 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Z2 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 2g 25 26 27 affect the remaining provisions or other applications of the Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application thereof. Section 6. Effective Date and Publication. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30} days after the date of its passage. The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors is authorized and directed to publish this ordinance before the expiration of fifteen (15) days after its passage. This Ordinance shall be published once, with the names of the members of the Board of Supervisors voting for and against it, in the Chico Enterprise Records, a newspaper of general circulation published in the County of Butte, State of California. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Butte, State of California, on the 2&th day of March 2013, by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Wahl, Kirk, Lambert, Teeter and Chair Connelly NOES: None ABSENT: None NOT VOTING: None f~ Bill Connelly, Chai of the Butte County Board of Supervisors ATTEST: Pa an By ficer 23