Redwood City's Noise Ordinances: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In Redwood City, California, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Amplified music or loudspeakers at Courthouse Square events cannot run more than 10 decibels above ambient sound, measured 100 feet from the property line, for more than five minutes between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Going over that threshold triggers a mandatory City event permit under Code Sec. 33A.41.
Key details: Decibel threshold: 10 dB above ambient sound. Measurement point: 100 feet from property line. Permitted hours before triggering permit: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.. Grace period: 5 minutes without a permit. Deciding official: Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director.
A permittee who exceeds a sound condition, or anyone who uses amplified equipment or a loudspeaker at Courthouse Square without a permit, is in violation of Chapter 33A. The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director can revoke the permit for a condition violation (Sec. 33A.48), and any intentional violation of the chapter or a permit's terms is an infraction punishable under Chapter 1, Article 1, Section 1.7B (Sec. 33A.52).
Decibel Limits
In Redwood City, after a noise-abatement notice, it is unlawful to allow a party or gathering of three or more people to generate noise between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. that exceeds 6 dB above the local ambient level measured in a residential district.
Key details: Threshold: 6 dB above local ambient. Hours: 8 p.m.–8 a.m.. Applies after: Abatement notice (24.22). Code section: RCC 24.21.
Allowing gathering noise to exceed 6 dB above ambient during nighttime hours after an abatement notice violates Redwood City Code section 24.21.
This is one of the stricter rules in Redwood City's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Construction Hours
Redwood City confines general construction noise to weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., under City Code Sec. 24.32. Noise the code calls excessive, above 110 dB, is boxed into a narrower 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekday window, and all construction noise, including preconstruction deliveries and truck idling, is banned entirely on weekends and City-designated holidays.
Key details: General construction hours: Weekdays 7 a.m.-8 p.m. only. Excessive noise (>110 dB) hours: Weekdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. only. Weekends/holidays: All construction noise prohibited. DIY owner exemption: 7a-8p weekdays; 9a-5p weekends/holidays. Violation penalty: Infraction under Code Sec. 1.7B.
Violating the construction-hours limits is an infraction under Section 24.41, punishable under Code Section 1.7B, and applies to each day noise continues outside the permitted windows. The City can also treat excessive noise as a public nuisance under Section 24.42, letting it seek abatement, injunctive relief, and damages in addition to any citation, and Section 24.43 makes these remedies cumulative rather than exclusive.
The Bottom Line
Redwood City's noise ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Redwood City is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from Redwood City's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.