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Noise from Specific Sources

Fullerton's Noise from Specific Sources: The Rules That Matter

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Every city handles noise from specific sources a little differently. In Fullerton, California, there are 5 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.

Generator Noise

Fullerton's recreational vehicle chapter bars running a power generator or other noise-generating equipment within or next to a parked RV between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. FMC § 8.46.060(D) targets generator noise tied to RVs on streets and public property, not stationary household generators generally.

Key details: Curfew hours: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Governing section: FMC § 8.46.060(D). Scope: Generators used with a parked RV. Adopted: Ord. 3294 (2020), amended Ord. 3301 (2021). Penalty basis: FMC Chapter 1.08 infraction/misdemeanor.

A violation of § 8.46.060, including the generator curfew in subsection (D), is punishable under FMC Chapter 1.08's general penalty provisions, which authorize prosecution as an infraction (fines up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for further offenses) or as a misdemeanor carrying a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months in county jail. The RV itself remains subject to citation and towing under Cal. Vehicle Code §§ 22650 and 22651, and repeated violations can support revocation of any RV parking permit tied to the vehicle.

Low-Frequency Bass Limits

In areas that mix commercial and residential uses, Fullerton judges speaker and sound-system noise, the kind carried by bass-heavy music, by whether it is plainly audible inside a neighboring building with the doors and windows shut, not by a decibel meter reading. FMC § 15.90.030(B)(3) treats such sound as ambient until city staff confirms it crosses that line.

Key details: Standard used: Plainly audible test, not a dB number. Where it applies: Mixed commercial/residential use areas. Trigger: Audible inside building, doors/windows closed. Who must act: Owner, tenant, or operator of source. Remedy required: Reduce volume or add acoustic mitigation.

An operator who does not reduce volume or add mitigation after city staff confirms the plainly-audible standard is being exceeded is subject to FMC § 1.08.010 penalties: an infraction fine of up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each further violation, or misdemeanor prosecution carrying up to $1,000 and six months in county jail. Citations may be appealed to the City Council within 15 days under § 15.90.080.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Fullerton gives residents more flexibility on low-frequency bass limits.

Delivery Truck Noise

Fullerton restricts when trucks can deliver to or load from businesses near homes. FMC § 15.90.050(C)(2) limits deliveries and vehicle loading within 200 feet of a residential zone or residential units in a mixed-use building to 7:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m.; delivery docks farther than 200 feet from housing face no citywide time restriction.

Key details: Delivery hours near homes: 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. within 200 ft. Delivery hours far from homes: No time restriction beyond 200 ft. Trash pickup hours (comparison): 6:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. within 200 ft. Distance measured to: Property receiving the delivery. Governing section: FMC § 15.90.050(C)(2).

Delivering outside the permitted hours near housing is enforceable as an infraction or misdemeanor under FMC § 1.08.010: up to a $100 fine for a first violation, $200 for a second within one year, and $500 for each further violation, or a misdemeanor charge carrying up to $1,000 and six months in county jail. Each day of noncompliant deliveries counts as a separate violation under § 1.08.030, and citations may be appealed to the City Council within 15 days under § 15.90.080.

Bar & Nightclub Noise

Fullerton caps commercial noise from bars, nightclubs and outdoor entertainment in the C-3 and G-C zones under FMC § 15.90.030(B). Table 2-1 sets exterior limits of 75 dBA (5-minute) and 80 dBA (1-minute) measured at the property line, tightening to 65/70 dBA overnight unless the city has approved an entertainment permit extending hours to 1:30 a.m. Fridays through Sundays.

Key details: Zones covered: C-3 and G-C commercial. Daytime limit: 75 dBA (5-min), 80 dBA (1-min). Nighttime limit: 65 dBA (5-min), 70 dBA (1-min). Late-night exception: 75/80 dBA to 1:30 a.m. Fri-Sun with permit. Outdoor entertainment cap: 80 dBA, 5-10 p.m. with permit.

A citation for exceeding Table 2-1 is enforced as an infraction or misdemeanor under FMC § 1.08.010: fines up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each additional offense, or misdemeanor prosecution carrying up to $1,000 and six months in county jail. Operators may appeal a citation to the City Council within 15 days under § 15.90.080, and repeat violations can trigger revocation of the entertainment permit under § 15.90.070(A)(2).

HVAC & Mechanical Noise

Air conditioners and refrigeration units count as fixed noise sources under Fullerton's noise chapter, and FMC § 15.90.050(B) requires that any new air conditioning, refrigeration, or pool equipment installation be certified to stay within the chapter's day and night operation noise levels before it can run.

Key details: Covered equipment: AC, refrigeration, pool equipment. Duty imposed: Certified to meet day/night noise levels. Governing section: FMC § 15.90.050(B). Applicable numeric standard: § 15.90.030(A) or (B), by zone. Daytime exemption: None; no 7 a.m.-8 p.m. carve-out.

Operating uncertified air conditioning, refrigeration, or pool equipment that exceeds the chapter's noise levels is enforceable under FMC § 1.08.010 as an infraction, up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year and $500 for each additional violation, or as a misdemeanor carrying up to $1,000 and six months in county jail; the equipment owner or operator may appeal a citation to the City Council within 15 days under § 15.90.080.

The Bottom Line

Fullerton's noise from specific sources 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 Fullerton is broadly strict or permissive.

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