The City is updating the Noise Element of the General Plan. The update process has been underway since 2017. The draft Noise Element Update is designed to provide a tailored approach to noise policy across Long Beach neighborhoods and consistent with the City’s development policies, including the Land Use Element. The updated Noise Element contains a set of goals, policies and implementation measures to limit noise exposure, particularly in areas with nearby housing, hospital, school or daycare center uses.

The Noise Element is a mandatory "element" (or chapter) of the City of Long Beach General Plan and sets forth policies regarding noise and land use throughout the City. The Noise Element was last updated in 1975 and was implemented through a 1977 Noise Ordinance. Since that time, the City's physical makeup, population, regional context and the regulatory guidance around noise have changed significantly. 

At the March 2, 2023, Planning Commission meeting, the Commission voted to recommend the Noise Element and related Ordinance amendments to the Long Beach City Council.

The General Plan Noise Element and Ordinance Update will be presented before the City Council by way of a public hearing on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, for a recommendation of adoption.

Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 5 p.m. (City Council Meetings Are Held In-Person Only)
Noise Element Update Public Hearing
Long Beach City Hall Civic Chambers
411 W. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA, 90802

How to call in and listen ONLY to the City Council meeting in Spanish*:

1. Call (562) 570-3137
2. Enter the Meeting ID: 2505 730 8404

 *Please note, to provide public comment you will need to attend the in-person meeting

To inform the draft plan and identify potential issues, a variety of community engagement strategies were employed from 2017 to 2019. This included a significant online outreach component, including a dedicated project website, email updates and announcements on the Department's social media channels. Another innovative online outreach strategy included was “Listen Up Long Beach,” an online mapping tool that crowdsourced data from residents and members of the public to report local noise issues and observations through their smartphone or other device. There were several focus groups and community meetings, including with residents, public health professionals, environmental justice advocates, bar and restaurant operators, construction industry representatives and local school students.

Responses received from the numerous outreach efforts have been recorded, studied and used to inform a Draft Existing Conditions Report and the draft plan. Additionally, in May 2019, the City hosted a Noise Element Open House to share information and solicit community feedback on the draft plan. The draft plan has been revised based on community feedback and revised drafts were released for public review in 2021 and 2022.

Progress on the Noise Element update was stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The process of the update resumed in 2022 by way of a study session at the October 20, 2022, Planning Commission meeting. An additional study session on the item was presented at the December 1, 2022, Planning Commission meeting. The study sessions featured a presentation of the draft Noise Element Update and Noise Ordinance Amendments and opportunity for the public to comment. The presentation and meeting details are linked below. The October 2022 Draft Noise Element that was available for public review from October 14, 2022, and through December 1, 2022.

• Planning Commission Recommendation of Approval to the Noise Element & Ordinance Update - March 2, 2023
• Noise Element and Noise Ordinance Update presentation
• Meeting Details for the Noise Element and Noise Ordinance Update
• Noise Element and Noise Ordinance Update presentation – December 1, 2022
• Draft General Plan Noise Element - October 2022

• Noise Element - Final adopted 2023
• Draft Noise Element - December 30, 2019
• Draft Noise Element - June 4, 2019
• Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
• Proposed Noise Ordinance Amendments
• Open House Boards - May 30, 2019
• Open House Press Release
• Noise Element Existing Conditions Report
• Noise Element Update Frequently Asked Questions