California Laws on No Noise After 10 PM

Loud noises can be harmful to your health.

California has a variety of enterprises within the state including federal installations, airports, commercial construction, and private property and land. Excessive noise can be harmful to the health and welfare of citizens. As of December 2010, California has specific laws and ordinances identified at the federal, state or county government levels which are directed at noise abatement after 10 p.m.

Federal

California is in compliance with the Noise Control Act of 1972. This act is applicable to all federally funded projects associated with highway traffic and construction. It is designed to incorporate reasonable noise abatement measures to reduce or eliminate noise impact on these projects.

County

Many counties in California have enacted their own noise ordinances to regulate and identify the acceptable noise level by type, land-use zone and time of day. San Diego, for example, has incorporated Ordinance NO. 9962 (N.S.) to their county codes, to identify noise control and abatement. This ordinance identifies events or actions that may be prohibited if they cause a noise disturbance. It also identifies the consequences related to non-compliance of the ordinance.

State

California state regulations on noise abatement are located in the California Penal Code, Section 415, "Disturbing the Peace." The code prohibits people from maliciously and willfully disturbing another person by loud and unreasonable noise. The code specifically identifies the levels of acceptable noise and the consequences related to non-compliance.

References

• County of San Diego
• CA.gov, State of California: Laws and Regulations
• CA.gov, State of California: Department of Transportation