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

If you live in San Rafael or are thinking about moving there, noise ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. San Rafael has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Quiet Hours

San Rafael Municipal Code Chapter 8.13 sets daytime and nighttime decibel limits enforced under §8.13.040. Daytime is 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; nighttime is 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. In residential zones the daytime cap is 60 dBA intermittent / 50 dBA constant and the nighttime cap drops to 50 dBA intermittent / 40 dBA constant.

Key details: Code: §8.13.040. Residential Day Limit: 60 dBA intermittent / 50 dBA constant. Residential Night Limit: 50 dBA intermittent / 40 dBA constant. Night Hours: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m..

Per the 2023 City bail schedule: §8.13.040 violations carry $100 base bail / $410 total as an infraction and $500 base / $2,050 total as a misdemeanor. Repeat or willful conduct may be charged as a misdemeanor.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

San Rafael caps sound-generating devices used for indoor or outdoor performances and special events at 80 dBA measured 50 feet from the property line, and bars amplified sound between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. without an event permit.

Key details: Daytime limit: 80 dBA at 50 feet. Curfew: 10 p.m. to 10 a.m.. Applies to: public/publicly-accessible open areas. Permit exception: special event/parade permit sets own limit. Enforcement: infraction or misdemeanor, §8.13.080.

Violations of Chapter 8.13 are enforceable as an infraction or misdemeanor, by administrative citation with a fine, or by civil action with penalties and injunctive relief under Chapter 1.42.

Aircraft Noise

San Rafael's noise ordinance exempts aviation, railroad, and public transit operations from its dBA limits and curfews, so helicopter flights are not restricted under the city's general noise chapter.

Key details: Status: Exempt from local noise chapter. Citation: §8.13.070, item 3. Covers: Aviation, railroad, transit. Governing layer: FAA regulates aircraft noise.

None under city law: aviation operations are exempt from Chapter 8.13 by §8.13.070(3), so no local noise citation applies to helicopter flights.

The rules around aircraft noise in San Rafael lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Leaf Blower Rules

San Rafael limits leaf blower operation to set daily hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on residential weekdays, narrower weekend hours, and slightly longer windows for non-residential property, under a 2022 ordinance.

Key details: Residential weekdays: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Residential weekends/holidays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Non-residential weekdays: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Non-residential weekends: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m..

Operating a leaf blower outside permitted hours violates § 8.40.030, declared a public nuisance under § 8.40.060 and enforceable via city attorney abatement action or citation under Code Chapters 1.40, 1.42, 1.44, 1.46.

Construction Hours

San Rafael limits construction noise to 7 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, capped at 90 dBA beyond the property line, and bars all construction noise on Sundays and city holidays. Builders must post a jobsite sign listing the hours, and the chief building official can halt work for violations.

Key details: Weekday hours: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mon-Fri. Saturday hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.. Sunday/holidays: Construction noise prohibited. Noise cap: 90 dBA at the property plane. Enforcement: Chief building official; up to 2-day stop-work order.

Violating the construction hours or the 90 dBA limit lets the chief building official suspend work for up to two days per violation. Section 8.13.080 allows the city to charge the offense as an infraction or misdemeanor, issue an administrative citation with a fine, or pursue a civil action for a monetary penalty and injunction under Chapter 1.42 of the municipal code.

The Bottom Line

San Rafael'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 San Rafael is broadly strict or permissive.

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