California noise rules
We have 11 city pages for California. Each one is taken from that city's own code and lists its sources and the date we checked them.
What does California law say about noise?
- Loud noise
- California Penal Code § 415(2) makes it a crime to disturb another person with loud and unreasonable noise. The person must do it maliciously and willfully. The penalty is up to 90 days in county jail, a fine of up to $400, or both.
Source: California Penal Code § 415. City rules are usually more specific, so check your city's page too.
Cities in California
Anaheim, CALoud and unreasonable parties: not from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Noncommercial amplified sound in residential zones and within 200 feet of them: not from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sound from a property can't go over 60 dBA at the property line for extended periods, at any hour.Bakersfield, CANo set quiet hours. Loud, unnecessary noise that disturbs a neighborhood is banned at any time, and the time of day is one of the factors. Construction near homes: only 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.Fresno, CANo single quiet-hours rule. The residential baseline steps down from 60 dBA (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) to 55 dBA (7 to 10 p.m.) and 50 dBA (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Permitted construction is exempt only from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday.Long Beach, CAIn residential areas the outdoor limit is 45 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. and 50 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Music, speakers and power tools that disturb people across a property line are banned from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Construction: weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays only with a permit.Los Angeles, CA10 p.m. to 7 a.m. for nighttime noise levels and powered equipment; construction barred 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.Oakland, CAOakland's Planning Code sets lower limits for homes from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (45 dBA for 20 minutes in an hour) than from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (60 dBA). Power tools and loading: not from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. if they disturb people across a property line.Sacramento, CAExterior standard is 55 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 50 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., 5 dBA lower for music or speech. Between apartments, a separate limit applies from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.San Diego, CALowest limits 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.; amplified sound audible at 50 feet from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. is a prima facie violationSan Francisco, CANo single quiet-hours rule. Fixed equipment is limited to 45 dBA indoors from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and night construction is limited from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.San Jose, CANot specified in Chapter 10.16. The test is noise that is disturbing or unreasonably loud.Stockton, CANo general quiet hours. Music that unreasonably annoys people nearby is barred at any hour. Construction: not from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. if it disturbs across a home's property line. Power tools and yard tools in residential areas: not from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.