Council limits weekend residential construction
By Kara Chalmers
At its meeting Nov. 15, the Saratoga City Council unanimously approved an ordinance amendment shortening the hours allowed for construction in the city on weekends.
The original ordinance in Saratoga allowed residential construction from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. The ordinance prohibited all noise sources from surpassing a certain decibel level.
The amendment prohibits large-scale residential construction--such as building a new home--on Sundays and holidays. It limits the allowed hours for other residential construction on Saturdays, to between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Homeowner improvement projects that do not require a city permit, temporary emergency construction and construction that does not exceed 50 percent of the existing main structure, will be allowed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Under the original ordinance, construction for commercial projects--retail, office, personal service or institutional buildings--is restricted to Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The amendment also limits subdivision construction to the same hours and days.
In response to a suggestion from resident Victor Monia, who spoke at an Oct. 18 public hearing on the proposed amendment, property owners will now be required to conspicuously post signs stating the hours allowed for construction at the entrance, where subcontractors can't miss them. The sign should also include a phone number for residents to call if the hours are being violated.
If residents violate any part of the ordinance, neighbors can report them to the Santa Clara County sheriff's office.
|
Saratoga, California Since 1955
