The CEQA Reform is New — But Noise Isn’t Going Anywhere
Written by Collin Crawford
CEQA is changing, and it’s happening fast. With streamlining legislation like the 2025 reforms for urban housing and SB 149 from 2023 for infrastructure and clean energy projects, the review process in California is shifting in a big way. Timelines are getting tighter and documentation is shrinking.
But here’s the catch: noise doesn’t follow that trend.
While CEQA’s role may be evolving, noise isn’t going anywhere. If anything, it’s one of the few impact areas that’s not only sticking around—but gaining more relevance. As the state reforms CEQA, the weight is shifting to local governments and the communities already burdened by noise or living next door to new projects.
In the world of large-scale energy storage, data centers, solar hybrids, and microgrids, noise is often the first thing people notice and the last thing they forget. And with AI driving demand for more power and grid infrastructure, the number of energy-intensive sites—and public scrutiny around them—is only going up.
Why Noise Still Deserves a Seat at the Table
Local Ordinances Still Govern Projects
CEQA might offer new exemptions—but local noise ordinances don’t. Most cities and counties maintain enforceable thresholds, compatibility policies, and permit conditions that don’t just disappear because CEQA is being streamlined.
If a project includes diesel backup generators, HVAC banks, inverters, or 24/7 operations, you’ll want to demonstrate compliance with those local standards before breaking ground—often through quantified, site-specific noise analysis. That means using industry-standard tools like CadnaA, SoundPLAN, or TNM, and aligning with guidance from ANSI, FTA, and others.
That’s not just about box-checking. It’s about protecting your entitlements, your timeline, and your reputation if the project is appealed or challenged. If retrofitting non-compliant sources becomes necessary, costs will grow, and operations may be restricted.
In other words: don’t assume your project is exempt simply because it is part of a streamlined process.
Public Pushback Is Getting Louder
Streamlined CEQA may reduce litigation pathways, but it doesn’t reduce public concern—especially around noise. If anything, opposition is getting sharper, better organized, and more vocal, particularly in communities already fatigued by rapid development or burdened by environmental stressors.
Noise is visceral. You feel it. The soundscape of every community is shaped by the lived experiences of residents. Projects located near homes, schools, parks, or hospitals are likely to receive closer attention Additional concerns may arise if the action impacts a dark-sky community, rural buffer zone, or tribal area.
Developers that get out in front of this—through clear modeling, community communication, and early mitigation—are far better positioned to avoid costly redesigns or delays.
So, What Can You Do?
Whether you’re a developer, planner, or consultant, here are four actions that will keep your project one step ahead:
Bring in noise screening early. Before site control, before you file a permit, know your constraints. A quick model now can prevent months of headaches later.
Use short-form noise memos when appropriate. Not every project needs a 100-page report. But if you’re using an exemption, applying for a CUP, or moving fast, a precise, well-targeted memo can do a lot of heavy lifting—if it’s written right.
Leverage the right modeling tools. Software like CadnaA or SoundPLAN allows you to visualize impacts, explore mitigation, and align your design with compliance—long before construction starts.
Design with noise in mind. Don’t treat acoustics like a bolt-on. Bake it into your site plan, equipment layout, hours of operation, and architectural shielding. Mitigation is most effective (and cheapest) when it’s proactive.
The Bottom Line
As infrastructure projects undergo accelerated reviews across the state, noise is increasingly being viewed as an indicator of how thoughtfully a project considers its surrounding community, its permitting obligations, and its long-term sustainability.
Whether the goal is to navigate permitting or engage with the surrounding community, managing noise remains an important consideration. In today’s environment of accelerated timelines and more concise documentation, it continues to be a factor that can significantly influence project outcomes.