Noise Ordinances in Reedley, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Reedley or are thinking about moving there, noise ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Reedley has 9 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Leaf Blower Rules

Reedley has no leaf blower ban or specific restrictions. Gas and electric blowers are permitted. Leaf blower noise falls under the general RMC 5-1-18 noise ordinance.

Key details: Specific Ban: None. Noise Standard: RMC 5-1-18 applies. Gas Blowers: Permitted. Air District: SJVAPCD.

Leaf blower noise violating RMC 5-1-18 is a misdemeanor. The noise is declared a public nuisance subject to abatement. SJVAPCD may impose separate penalties for emissions violations on commercial equipment.

Reedley is more permissive than most cities when it comes to leaf blower rules. That said, there are still limits.

Aircraft Noise

Reedley has no local aircraft noise ordinance. The Reedley Municipal Airport (O32) operates under FAA regulations. Federal law preempts local noise rules for aircraft in flight.

Key details: Airport: Reedley Municipal (O32). Local Ordinance: None specific to aircraft. Federal Authority: FAA 14 CFR Part 150. State Authority: Caltrans Aeronautics.

No local aircraft noise violations. Aircraft operations are governed by FAA regulations. Ground-based airport equipment noise may fall under RMC 5-1-18.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Reedley gives residents more flexibility on aircraft noise.

Decibel Limits

RMC 5-1-18(E) sets a 5-dB-over-ambient threshold at the property line. For apartments and condos, measurement is taken within the adjoining unit. No zone-specific fixed decibel limits exist.

Key details: Threshold: 5 dB over ambient. Measurement Point: Property line. Apartment Standard: Within adjoining unit. Hearing Definition: 0-25 dB HL at 500/1k/2k Hz. Zone-Specific Limits: None.

Sound exceeding ambient by more than 5 dB at the property line: prima facie violation of RMC 5-1-18. Misdemeanor. Public nuisance subject to abatement.

Industrial Noise

Industrial noise falls under RMC 5-1-18 with the 25-foot audibility and 5-dB-over-ambient standards. SJVAPCD Rule 4901 also regulates equipment in this agricultural Central Valley city.

Key details: Code Section: RMC 5-1-18. Measurement: At property line. Threshold: 5 dB over ambient. Air District: SJVAPCD Rule 4901.

Industrial noise violating RMC 5-1-18: misdemeanor. Declared a public nuisance subject to abatement. SJVAPCD may impose separate penalties for equipment emissions and noise.

Amplified Music & Events

RMC 5-1-18 targets amplified sound devices. Sound audible at 25 feet is prima facie excessive. Authorized public events with amplified music are exempt under subsection F(4).

Key details: Code Section: RMC 5-1-18. Audibility Test: 25 ft from source. Apartment Standard: 5 dB in adjoining unit. Permitted Events: Exempt under F(4).

Amplified music violation: misdemeanor under RMC 5-1-18. Declared a public nuisance. Loud or unruly gatherings may trigger cost-recovery under RMC Chapter 5-8.

Quiet Hours

RMC 5-1-18 prohibits excessively loud noise from amplification devices. Sound audible at 25 feet is prima facie excessive. Noise exceeding ambient by 5 dB at the property line is an alternative violation standard.

Key details: Code Section: RMC 5-1-18. Audibility Test: 25 ft from source. Decibel Threshold: 5 dB over ambient. Ordinance: Ord. 723 (1989). Contact: (559) 637-6300.

Violation of RMC 5-1-18 is a misdemeanor. The excessive noise is declared a public nuisance subject to abatement. Each day of continuing violation may constitute a separate offense.

Construction Hours

Reedley has no specific construction hour limits. All construction noise falls under the general noise ordinance RMC 5-1-18 with its 25-foot audibility and 5-dB-over-ambient standards.

Key details: Specific Hours: Not codified. Noise Standard: RMC 5-1-18 applies. Building Code: California Building Code. Permits: Community Development Dept..

Construction noise violating RMC 5-1-18 is a misdemeanor. Stop-work orders may be issued by the Building Division for permit violations. Noise declared a public nuisance is subject to abatement.

The rules around construction hours in Reedley lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Barking Dogs

RMC 5-3-10 prohibits animals creating excessive noise. Fines escalate from $100 to $500 per offense. A fourth violation in 12 months requires permanent removal of the animal from the city.

Key details: Code Section: RMC 5-3-10. First Offense: Warning issued. Fine Range: $100 to $500. Fourth Offense: Animal removed from city. Ordinance: Ord. 2009-04.

Excessive animal noise: infraction. Fines: $100 first offense, $200 second within one year, $500 each additional. Fourth offense in 12 months: animal declared public nuisance, mandatory removal from city. Failure to remove: misdemeanor.

Outdoor Music

Outdoor music is regulated under RMC 5-1-18. Sound audible at 25 feet or exceeding ambient by 5 dB at the property line is prima facie excessive. Permitted public events are exempt.

Key details: Code Section: RMC 5-1-18. Audibility Test: 25 ft from source. Specific Hours: Not codified. Permitted Events: Exempt under F(4).

Outdoor music violation: misdemeanor under RMC 5-1-18. Public nuisance. Repeated police responses may trigger cost recovery under RMC Chapter 5-8.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Reedley gives residents more room on noise ordinances. 3 of the 9 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Reedley's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.